Kasparas Jakučionis - Illinois | Lithuania
Posted: Tue Oct 29, 2024 7:10 pm
Any Illinois fans? I have seen that Bleacher report now stacks him at #8 in 2025, I think thats high enough to have its own thread, at least thats my excuse to talk about our own boy.
Honestly, I am not that well familiar with him, I have seen couple of games in FIBA juniors this year, where Lithuania had pretty big meltdown. Jakučionis in the past two years was known as number one prospect in Barcelona academy, he dominated Euroleague next generation tournaments, stacking ridiculous assist numbers. He is around 6'6 SG/PG, Bleacher lists him at 6'10, but thats non sensical. He is very well built for a young guy, pretty muscular, kinda a jack of all trades, but doesn't seem overly long, fast or athletic, or master of anything. From what I have watched, he can struggle with turnovers a lot, he is not really known for volume scoring or shooting either, and hes below the rim player.
I am a bit flabbergasted by that Bleacher report ranking. Granted, NBAdraftroom and thankathon ranks him way lower, but still in first round. Bleacher compares him to Spencer Dinwiddie, and I can see that, but that doesn't sound that exiting from NBA perspective. I see him as more talented prospect than Jokubaitis for sure, but not overly much, they both kind off similar.
What do you guys think, what is the expectation from NCAA fans? Do you think he will even declare? Will offense run through him in Illinois?
Pronounciation is something like : Kas-pur-ras Yak-koo-cho-nis
Honestly, I am not that well familiar with him, I have seen couple of games in FIBA juniors this year, where Lithuania had pretty big meltdown. Jakučionis in the past two years was known as number one prospect in Barcelona academy, he dominated Euroleague next generation tournaments, stacking ridiculous assist numbers. He is around 6'6 SG/PG, Bleacher lists him at 6'10, but thats non sensical. He is very well built for a young guy, pretty muscular, kinda a jack of all trades, but doesn't seem overly long, fast or athletic, or master of anything. From what I have watched, he can struggle with turnovers a lot, he is not really known for volume scoring or shooting either, and hes below the rim player.
I am a bit flabbergasted by that Bleacher report ranking. Granted, NBAdraftroom and thankathon ranks him way lower, but still in first round. Bleacher compares him to Spencer Dinwiddie, and I can see that, but that doesn't sound that exiting from NBA perspective. I see him as more talented prospect than Jokubaitis for sure, but not overly much, they both kind off similar.
What do you guys think, what is the expectation from NCAA fans? Do you think he will even declare? Will offense run through him in Illinois?
Pronounciation is something like : Kas-pur-ras Yak-koo-cho-nis