This was always where it was headed.
Illinois freshmen Kasparas Jakucionis and Will Riley were always likely to be preserved in amber as Illinois freshmen in perpetuity – one-and-done players with the talent to test the waters of the NBA as teenagers. On Monday, they both declared for the league’s draft later this month, and the response was mostly understandable – a mix of wistfulness, pride, angst and appreciation.
Is there a version of the multiverse in which one or both Jakucionis and Riley return to the Illini? Sure, if you want to get all Doctor Strange about it, each of them could go through the draft process, receive unsatisfactory evaluations and draft-slot projections, and reverse course to give it another go in Champaign.
Is it even remotely likely? No.
So folks have said their piece, waved their goodbyes and even begun the process of moving forward. Hey, nothing lasts forever. But lucky for us, social media posts tend to hold up even longer than the average college hoops career. Here are the best of them on the NBA Draft declarations of Jakucionis and Riley:
The last shot Kasparas Jakucionis ever took at State Farm Center. Probably my favorite clip of the year. An incredible way to remember him in an #illini uniform
Go be great, KJ. Will be buying your NBA jersey wherever you go🫡 pic.twitter.com/FnloFiERdb
— 𝕮𝖔𝖓𝖓𝖔𝖗 𝕻𝖎𝖑𝖘 (@TheConnorPils) April 14, 2025
If we’ve seen Will Riley’s last game as an #Illini, I’m glad we get to remember him like this pic.twitter.com/c1r2PBEEEe
— 𝕮𝖔𝖓𝖓𝖔𝖗 𝕻𝖎𝖑𝖘 (@TheConnorPils) April 14, 2025
Love that Kasparas Jakucionis will forever be connected to Illinois #illinipic.twitter.com/aRflywhpDx
— 🆃ⓐ🅹🅷 ♕ (@Recru1t1ng_Guru) April 13, 2025
The Will Riley Experience was a breath of fresh air in this era of college sports
We’ve seen it firsthand where highly rated recruits struggle early and check out (or even leave the team mid season)
Will stayed the course, transformed his game, and now he’s an Illini for life https://t.co/XlnXr3OCSp
— The BoardRoom (@ILLBoardRoom) April 14, 2025
Kasparas Jakucionis boasts an impressive combination of size (6’6″), toughness, pace, feel for the game, playmaking, and shot-making prowess. He’s an outstanding pick-and-roll player who plays an intelligent and unselfish style, helping him transition from Europe to college. https://t.co/Ne4psVkslQ pic.twitter.com/7TtTpEh8tE
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) April 14, 2025
While far from a finished product, NBA teams view Will Riley as a significant long-term talent. He is a 6’8 versatile scorer with shot-making prowess who shows impressive flashes creating shots for himself and others, with polished scoring instincts and creativity as a passer. https://t.co/4lbLJeoThU pic.twitter.com/TLjcyNCkrs
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) April 14, 2025
Think Jakucionis’ game is more suited for the NBA with modern spacing and more PnR
— ℵ (@nicktharula) April 14, 2025
It was really unfortunate that he had the wrist issue in January, which I think significantly impacted his play the rest of the year. But Kasparas Jakucionis was still one of the best freshmen that we’ve ever seen at Illinois.
I hope he has a fantastic NBA career.
— Dave Wischnowsky (@wischlist) April 14, 2025
mark my words kasparas jakucionis will become a star in the nba
— trullify (@trallify) April 12, 2025
“With the 5th overall pick
Utah Jazz select Kasparas Jakučionis, Illinois”— Daniel Merriman 📸🎙️⌨️ (@DanielMerriman_) April 13, 2025
If the Nets are in the 6-8 range, I could definitely see them taking Jakucionis as true PG to pair with Cam Thomas #NetsWorld https://t.co/hIDdgKWUxM
— Nets Lead (@NetsLead) April 14, 2025
I think evaluators are really going to regret dropping Kasparas Jakucionis so far down their board
— HoboJ (@HoboJ_) April 13, 2025
Will Riley at 16… if that is accurate there would be no chance of him returning to the Illini. Still has to go through the combine process https://t.co/Pv9InR7oqy
— Illini in the Lou Podcast (@IlliniInTheLou) April 8, 2025
Will Riley declaring for the draft shouldn’t surprise anyone. This was always the path whether he returns or not.
Feel out the process, see where you are going to go and make a decision from there.
Either way best of luck to Will and his family. Illini forever
— Jordan Goodhart (@Jordan_Goodhart) April 14, 2025
The dream is dead.
My favorite part of the dream is the friends we made along the way.
Wishing Will Riley the best. He definitely showed why he was the highest rated recruit at Illinois since Dee Brown. https://t.co/EbGbckugOo
— Cody Delmendo (@cody_illini) April 14, 2025
To KJ and Will Riley: It was a pleasure. Good luck in the League! 🫡 @IlliniMBB #Illini
— Jobin Hood (@jobin_theman) April 14, 2025
Kasparas Jakucionis and Will Riley both declare for the draft today. Seems like a great time for the #Illini to announce a big signing.
— Brian Sendzik (@BrianSendzik) April 14, 2025
