The primary -year college students of Illinois Kasparas Jakucionis and Will Riley grew to become the primary teammates of the faculty on Wednesday since 2022 to be drafted consecutively within the first spherical of the NBA draft. The very first gamers to at least one and to the historical past of illini basketball, Jakucionis was chosen twentieth within the normal classification by the Miami Warmth whereas Riley was drafted twenty first within the normal classification by the Washington Wizards.
Excellent adjustment. pic.twitter.com/ykw7gfqsea
– Illinois male basketball (@illinimbb) June 26, 2025
Welcome to the League, Will Riley! pic.twitter.com/tdroyvupa9
– Illinois male basketball (@illinimbb) June 26, 2025
At all times an on a regular basis man pic.twitter.com/tsbdpkwprc
– Illinois male basketball (@illinimbb) June 26, 2025
Earlier than Jakucionis and Riley, the latest faculty duo to depart the NBA dashboard was consecutively from Duke, Mark Williams (n ° 15) and AJ Griffin (n ° 16) in 2022. By coincidence, the older brother of Griffin, Alan, performed Illinois for 2 seasons earlier than the switch to Syracuse. Their father, Adrian, performed 10 years within the NBA and was assistant coach within the league for 12 extra seasons.
On the stage, every thing was stated and made, Wednesday was a profitable day for the Illini basketball program, even when coach Brad Underwood misplaced two of his finest performers for the advantage of Execs and Jakucionis went somewhat later than anticipated within the draft. The Illinois was one of many three packages to have a number of gamers chosen within the first spherical, and Wednesday marked the third time within the historical past of this system, Illini had a number of first -round alternatives.
Underwood has raised expertise expectations in Illinois, who noticed 4 gamers chosen within the NBA draft throughout the Champaign coach’s mandate. Illini has led the Massive Ten with three first spherical decisions over the last two tasks.
