After Illinois’s elimination in the NCAA Tournament last month at the hands of Kentucky, Kasparas Jakucionis spoke to members of the media for the last time as an Illinois player. He’s since declared for the NBA Draft, where he’s projected by most outlets to be a top-ten pick and by some to be a top-five pick.

Illinois freshman Kasparas Jakucionis, a projected top-10 pick, told ESPN that he will enter the 2025 NBA draft.

Illinois basketball must replace two of its best players after Kasparas Jakučionis and Will Riley declared for the NBA draft.