Illinois Freshman Duo Make NBA Draft History: Jakucionis and Riley Go Back-to-Back in First Round
The 2025 NBA Draft delivered drama, surprises, and a powerful statement from one of college basketball’s rising programs—the Illinois Fighting Illini. While much of the media attention focused on Duke and Rutgers dominating the top 10 with multiple lottery picks, Illinois quietly stole a piece of the spotlight with two of its sensational freshmen, Kasparas Jakucionis and Will Riley, being selected back-to-back in the first round.
It’s a moment that will be remembered not just in Champaign, but across the college hoops landscape. The dynamic freshman duo, who led Illinois in scoring and powered them to an impressive season, finally heard their names called in the 20s, fulfilling the NBA dreams that had been building all year.
From College Standouts to NBA Prospects
The numbers say it all. Kasparas Jakucionis and Will Riley combined to average 27.6 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 6.9 assists per game for the Fighting Illini this past season. Jakucionis, the crafty point guard from Lithuania, showcased elite vision, poise, and a high basketball IQ beyond his years. Riley, the 6’8 Canadian-born wing, displayed a smooth shooting stroke, elite athleticism, and a scorer’s mentality that made him a matchup nightmare at the collegiate level.
Their chemistry, versatility, and raw talent made Illinois one of the most exciting teams in the country. And while neither cracked the lottery—despite Jakucionis drawing early top-14 projections—both landed in promising NBA situations that could accelerate their growth.
Kasparas Jakucionis Drafted No. 20 Overall to the Miami Heat
When the Miami Heat selected Kasparas Jakucionis at No. 20, it wasn’t just a pick—it was a strategic move to reshape their backcourt of the future.
The Heat, having traded Jimmy Butler at the deadline, are now building around cornerstone big man Bam Adebayo and scoring guard Tyler Herro. But with the need for a true floor general evident, Jakucionis fits perfectly into Miami’s blueprint. Known for developing talent and maximizing potential, Miami could be the perfect environment for Jakucionis to flourish.
He’ll enter a competitive point guard rotation, featuring Terry Rozier and Davion Mitchell, but the path to playing time is open for a player with Jakucionis’ skillset. If he adjusts quickly to NBA speed and spacing, expect the former Illinois floor general to make waves early in his rookie season.
Will Riley Selected No. 21 by the Washington Wizards
Right after his Illinois teammate was picked, Will Riley heard his name called at No. 21 by the Washington Wizards, a franchise fully embracing a youth movement.
The pick originally belonged to the Utah Jazz, but a pre-draft trade sent it to Washington—marking a shift toward acquiring high-upside young talent. Riley joins a rebuilding roster alongside Bilal Coulibaly, Bub Carrington, and newly drafted Tre Johnson, the No. 6 overall pick out of Texas. It’s a young core with massive potential, and Riley adds instant scoring power and positional versatility to that group.
Standing 6’8” with a fluid game and a three-level scoring ability, Riley is a potential upgrade over Corey Kispert and could challenge for minutes immediately, especially if veteran Khris Middleton, in the final year of his deal, is moved or sees reduced minutes.
The Wizards are in no rush to win now—which makes this the ideal scenario for Riley to develop, grow into a starter, and eventually become a centerpiece of the franchise’s rebuild.
Illinois Basketball on the Rise
With back-to-back first-round selections, Illinois has announced itself as more than just a Big Ten contender—it’s becoming a legitimate NBA pipeline. For Coach Brad Underwood and his staff, this is a massive recruiting boost and validation of the program’s development strategy.
Jakucionis and Riley may not have gone in the lottery, but their landing spots in Miami and Washington could offer better long-term development and opportunities for immediate impact. Their success in the league could inspire a wave of high-level recruits to view Illinois as the next big stage for launching an NBA career
Final Thoughts
The 2025 NBA Draft may be remembered for the dominance of blue-blood programs at the top, but Illinois carved out a historic moment with their own two-man show in the first round. Jakucionis and Riley’s journey from freshman phenoms to first-round picks is just the beginning.
As they now transition to the pros, all eyes will be on how they adapt and what kind of impact they’ll make. Don’t be surprised if both names become fixtures in NBA highlight reels and All-Rookie conversations by season’s end.
For Illinois basketball, the message is clear: The future is here—and it’s already showing up in the NBA.
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