Four Illinois men’s basketball players have landed on ESPN’s preseason Top-100 prospects for the 2025 NBA Draft. Freshman guard Kasparas Jakucionis ranks at No. 15, with ESPN’s Jeremy Woo noting that NBA scouts are keen to see how the 6-foot-6 Lithuanian guard adapts to college play in the Big Ten, where he’ll face greater length and athleticism and will need to make sharp decisions as a playmaker and scorer. Freshman wing Will Riley is listed at No. 22, praised for his 6-foot-8 frame and strong perimeter skills, though Woo points to defensive questions.
Junior guard Kylan Boswell, a transfer from Arizona, ranks at No. 75, while senior forward Ben Humrichous, an Evansville transfer, is at No. 79.
Significance: Illinois boasts more players in ESPN’s Draft rankings than any other Big Ten team — two more than both Rutgers and Michigan. Since 2013, Illinois has only had two NBA Draft picks (Ayo Dosunmu at No. 38 in 2021 and Terrence Shannon Jr. at No. 27 in 2024), so this marks a significant growth in talent under Brad Underwood, aligning Illinois with national contenders.
Kasparas Jakucionis
Illinois’s roster depth has it projected to finish in the Big Ten’s top four, despite significant departures from last season. Jakucionis and Riley are exceptionally skilled freshmen who need to adjust to Big Ten competition. Boswell, a strong two-way guard, and Humrichous, a sharpshooting stretch-four, bring unique strengths to the team. Junior guard Ty Rodgers says, “From top to bottom, this team is more talented than last year.” Boswell agrees, calling it “one of the most talented teams” he’s ever played on.
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