Kasparas Jakučionis - 2025 NBA Draft Scouting Report

Measurements and Stats Current as of January 26, 2025

Kasparas Jakučionis is a 6'6 point guard from Lithuania who is a freshman at Illinois. He has a 6'7.5 wingspan, weighs 198 pounds, and will be about 19.1 years old at the time of the draft this June. He projects as a good NBA starter.

Projection & Statistical Analysis

To date, Jakučionis has lead Illinois to its best statistical performance in four years, despite making a difficult transition from European play to the NCAA. His game resembles D'angelo Russell's ("DLO") or Spencer Dinwiddie's. He's a big point guard, and his success is leveraged on his ability to efficiently take and make step back three point shots. The threat of his shot unlocks his dribble drive game where he is an excellent passer off the bounce; once he starts dribbling he's looking to pass. I compared Jakučionis to DLO and Dinwiddie, as well as James Harden, Malcom Brogdon, and Cade Cunningham, with whom Jakučionis also shares some similarities. Jakučionis leads that group in unassisted three point attempt and assist rate. He compliments those two strengths with excellent height for the guard position, solid rebounding, and a good free throw rate; he has a crafty game and a foul-grifting mentality that helps him get to the line. Jakučionis also finishes well at the rim, even when compared to that group of players.

Jakučionis' main wart is his terrible turnover rate - it's easily the worst amongst the players I'm comparing him to. He also commits the most fouls of that group and doesn't generate many steals and blocks.

Perhaps more troubling is that he only has one dunk on the year. If we project him to finish the year with two dunks, here's a list of drafted 6'5-6'6 players in Barttorvik's database that finished the year with two or less dunks:

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There are some good players on this list - any NBA team would be happy to employ Desmond Bane, Andrew Nembhard, Ty Jerome, or Desmond Bane for the best part of those players' careers. But the point is that most drafted players in Jakučionis' height range dunk more than he did. The DLO, Russell, Harden, Brogdon, Cunningham, coterie all did.

Offense

The dunk rate belies why I don't think Jakučionis will be a star - he lacks the physical tools to be elite. I don't see Jakučionis unleashing a ferocious assault on the rim like prime James Harden. Jakučionis isn't taking on all comers at the rim. He's picking his spots. Rim finishing isn't effortless for him. Jakučionis, like DLO and Dinwiddie, will win with his three pointer. He doesn't have the heft to play bully ball like Harden or Luka Doncic. This is the main reason why I think Jakučionis projects as a good starter but not an all star. Jakucionis may be able to grow into strong physical play and become a star the way Cunningham did, but I think even this is too optimistic. Cunningham was measured at 6'7 220 lbs. with a 7'0 wingspan when he was drafted. Jakučionis' measurables pale in comparison.

But the good news is that Jakučionis' three point shot will take him a long way. He creates very difficult attempts for himself and makes them at a high rate. He's comfortable pulling up and stepping back. Since he doesn't require much space to shoot, he's a threat to shoot a 3 almost any time he touches the ball. And. his statistical indicators all bode well for his shooting translating to the NBA.

The three point bombing unlocks the rest of his game. He gets guarded closely so he can blow by his man and get into the paint. This is where his vision shines. He can hit shooters or dunkers stationed anywhere on the court and with a variety of passes. He's also a smart free-throw drawer that uses quirky pivots to create space for midrange shots. If you squint closely enough sometimes you can see Jalen Brunson in his game, although he lacks Brunson's quickness and strength, and probably isn't the competitor that Brunson is. Unfortunately, Jakučionis can be an inaccurate passer, sometimes makes poor decisions, and has a somewhat loose handle, which results in too many turnovers. The turnovers are the second reason why I don't think he'll be a star. I think he'll be best with the ball in his hands against drop defenses that let him play in his space and use his pullup. The more pressure he faces, the more his loose handle and relative lack of athleticism will show.

Happily, Jakučionis projects to be a good complimentary player. Although Illinois doesn't play him off ball much, the tape says he's great at it. He makes his catch-and-shoot 3s easily, and he has great feel and verve for attacking a closeout. It's easy to envision him playing off a star and greasing his team's offensive engine . Then, when his star teammate hits the bench, he can take over the wheel and drive the offense.

Sum it all up, and Jakučionis is a good offensive player that can help his team on and off the ball.

Defense

Jakučionis projects as an average to below average defender. He plays smaller than his height and slower than his position. He lacks plus strength, length, or quickness to be a ball hawk. I think he'll be best suited guarding the worst perimeter player on the other team.

However, Jakučionis competes hard enough, usually doesn't give up on plays, and has the instincts to generate steals. He's also big enough to avoid being mercilessly targeted the way a defensive sieve like Trae Young is. So, while I think Jakučionis' defense is a weakness, it shouldn't keep him off the court.

Conclusion

Jakučionis projects as a good NBA starter who can compliment superstars and run the offense in a pinch. His defense is good enough to stay on the floor, and his shooting and passing will allow him to thrive in most offensive lineups.