Kasparas Jakucionis is among the extra polarizing gamers within the 2025 NBA Draft, however he has clear NBA upside if he can put the instruments collectively.
In each the 2023 and 2024 NBA Drafts, the primary picks have been French, turning into the second and third European-born first picks in league historical past, becoming a member of 2006’s Andrea Bargnani.
Each 2023 and 2024 have been extremely worldwide courses, though because the NCAA modernizes and NIL cash grows, worldwide gamers have come stateside earlier than going professional in large numbers.
Whereas the anticipated prime three picks in 2025–Cooper Flagg, Dylan Harper, and Ace Bailey–are all American, there may be loads of worldwide expertise available. VJ Edgecombe, Khaman Maluach, and Egor Demin are a number of the frontrunners, however guard Kasparas Jakucionis has been rising up draft boards.
In a loaded class with expertise from all around the world, Jakucionis may very well be the primary worldwide participant to have his identify referred to as, and can virtually definitely be the primary European.
- Age/Date of Beginning: 18 (Might 29, 2006)
- Peak/weight: 6-foot-6, 205lbs
- School: Illinois Preventing Illini
- Profession stats: 15.0 factors, 5.7 rebounds, 4.7 assists, 0.9 steals, 3.7 turnovers, 44.0 FG%, 31.8 3PT%
- NCAA Match stats: 14.5 factors, 7.0 rebounds, 6.0 assists, 6.0 turnovers, 33.3 FG%, 20.0 3PT%
- Profession highs: 24 factors (vs. Wisconsin, vs. Minnesota, vs. UCLA), 13 rebounds (vs. Nebraska), 13 assists (vs. SIU Edwardsville)
- NBA comparability: Larger Kyle Lowry
Jakucionis performs with a really excessive motor and makes up for his lack of athleticism with a capability to go the additional mile. He can go with the most effective of them and is at all times seeking to arrange his teammates, which ought to give him a lift on the subsequent stage.
In school, his 3-point taking pictures left so much to be desired, however within the 2024 FIBA U18 EuroBasket Match, he shot barely higher, and his profession mark in school of 84.5% from the free-throw line ought to give confidence that the shot gained’t be a long-term concern.
As a lead guard, he can dribble by way of site visitors and both kick the ball out or dump it off to a dunker. He isn’t the most effective at getting above the rim, however he can end by way of site visitors and take some contact if wanted, so his scoring, which appears versatile, shouldn’t take too huge of successful in his rookie season.
He isn’t a sure-thing, however he can run the offense at a excessive stage and if his offense turns into extra well-rounded, he may very well be one of many higher gamers within the draft.
Jakucionis is much from the right prospect. He makes questionable decisions, particularly when passing. If his dangerous passes convert, he appears like a right-handed Manu Ginobili, however his whopping 3.7 turnovers per sport and 12 whole in March Insanity counsel he may be a bit wilder than even Manu.
On protection, he isn’t a complete legal responsibility, however he’s a tad gradual, which suggests he gained’t have the ability to cease the shifter guards within the NBA. He additionally isn’t sturdy sufficient to maneuver up a place and guard forwards, so a type of issues will have to be solved.
His exterior taking pictures may and sure will enhance, however there’s no assure, so that can seemingly be a priority as nicely. Nonetheless, for a flooring basic and off-the-dribble scorer, he has many of the instruments.
Jakucionis is predicted to be drafted within the prime ten, with the probability that he may go within the prime 5. Which means a foul workforce will take him, though not each scenario would convey out the most effective in him.
He would do his finest subsequent to a real scoring guard and some high-level wings, and like most lead guards would profit from having a pick-and-roll risk.
The Utah Jazz, with Keyonte George within the backcourt and a wholesome Taylor Hendricks or John Collins, would match the invoice. Collin Sexton and Lauri Markkanen simply supply extra benefits.
The Toronto Raptors would even be an excellent match. Jakucionis may share ball-handling duties with RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley, permitting Scottie Barnes to be extra of a slasher and catch-and-shoot risk. Toronto, not like Utah, has sufficient constructive defenders to make up for any weaknesses.
Followers ought to count on Jakucionis to take a while earlier than he hits and even reveals his true potential, and he won’t be a win-now participant like some rookies within the class.
