Illinois' Jakucionis, Riley to enter NBA draft

Illinois freshman Kasparas Jakucionis will enter the NBA draft, he told ESPN's Jonathan Givony.

Jakucionis is a projected top-10 pick after averaging 15 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 4.7 assists for the Fighting Illini this season.

"This has been my dream from a young age," Jakucionis told ESPN on Monday. "I've waited for this moment a long time. Saying goodbye to Illinois will be the hardest part. I've made friendships and built real relationships with players, coaches, support staff, and everyone around Champaign. My goal now is to work as hard as I can and be the best version of myself."

Jakucionis earned spots on the Big Ten All-Freshman team and the All-Big Ten second team for his standout campaign. He also led Illinois to the Round of 32 in the NCAA Tournament, where Kentucky eliminated the Illini.

Hailing from Lithuania, Jakucionis was one of the first highly regarded European players to skip out on the European league and play for a U.S. college.

"I wanted to be closer to American basketball," Jakucionis said. "The academic side is very important for me and my family. And, of course, for the NBA, it helps. The competition in college is extremely high level. Every game and detail matters. You're competing against the best young players in the world."

The 6-foot-6 guard added that he studies Luka Doncic more than any other player, particularly admiring "how he reads the game."

Illinois' Canadian Will Riley will also declare for the NBA draft, he told Givony. The freshman is a projected first-rounder after averaging 12.6 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 2.2 assists and winning Big Ten Sixth Man of the Year this season.

"I learned a lot through the season," Riley said. "I faced a lot of adversity, which helped me. When I was younger, I had no idea what it was like on the American basketball scene. That transition from Canada was good for me. The biggest difference was the physicality. I put on 22 pounds before the start of the season. NBA teams saw my potential as a ball-handler and creator, my IQ, and my ability to make reads. These are things you can't teach. I got adjusted midway through the season and started to blossom."