Former Illini in NBA: Latest on Kasparas Jakucionis, Terrence Shannon Jr., Others

Illinois has produced a handful of NBA-caliber players over the past few years – two of which are already well-established rotation players in the Chicago Bulls’ Ayo Dosunmu and the Minnesota Timberwolves’ Terrence Shannon Jr., along with a pair of rookies with high upside in Kasparas Jakucionis (Miami Heat) and Will Riley (Washington Wizards).

Here’s the latest update on each member of the former Illini quartet:

Recent Illini in the NBA

Ayo Dosunmu, guard

Since arriving in the NBA in 2021, Dosunmu has steadily progressed and seen an uptick in his production on a year-to-year basis. So far, through 16 games of the 2025-26 campaign, he is continuing that trend.

A 6-foot-5 guard, Dosunmu is averaging a career-high 15.7 points while adding 2.6 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game. His shooting percentages, if they were to hold, would be career bests from the field (55.2 percent), three-point line (47.5 percent) and free-throw line (85.1 percent).

The season is young, but Dosunmu appears to be in the midst of his best NBA campaign yet. And although his squad has cooled off recently (the Bulls are now 9-9), Dosunmu was a key factor in their hot 5-0 start.

have been thinking a lot this year about the players who break the NBA meta trends, and ayo dosunmu is an elite press breaker. dynamic, explosive driver who eats in early offense

his highest volume rim attempt season (6.8/75) isn't coming by accident, he's a stellar slasher pic.twitter.com/X0OruV7RDC
— ben pfeifer (@bjpf_) November 11, 2025

Kasparas Jakucionis, guard

After fighting through a lingering groin injury, Jakucionis finally returned to the floor, and the Miami Heat elected to ease the rookie guard back into action by sending him to the organization’s G-League affiliate: the Sioux Falls Skyforce.

Perhaps the change of scenery and brutal conditions up in South Dakota (it’s currently 20 degrees and snowing in Sioux Falls, while Miami is a lukewarm 77 degrees) was exactly what Jakucionis needed, as the 6-foot-6 first-year player has been filling it up for the Skyforce.

In five games, Jakucionis is averaging 14.8 points, 5.0 rebounds and 5.2 assists. But – and it would shock no Illini fan to hear this – his ball security remains an issue: He’s averaging 3.2 turnovers.

Kasparas Jakucionis in the G-League last night:

18 PTS
5 REB
7 AST
3 STL
2 TO
5/5 FTM (100 FT%)

The turnovers are going down each game and he’s playing with more confidence. The potential is there. pic.twitter.com/5pHfaO5LNF
— 𝙃𝙚𝙖𝙩𝘾𝙪𝙡𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙚 (@WadexFlash) November 27, 2025

On the flip side, Jakucionis is registering a surprising 2.4 steals per game – nearly snatching back just as much as he gives up. His efficiency still remains a question mark, though, as he is shooting just 37.5 percent from the field and 25.0 percent from deep.

Bonus update: Jakucionis’ Skyforce will meet former Illini Coleman Hawkins’ Grand Rapids Gold on Saturday night at 7 p.m. CT.

Will Riley, forward

Appearing in 13 games, Riley has seen the floor in practically every outing this year – quite the encouraging sign for a rookie who was initially expected to spend the majority of his season in the G-League. (He did suit up in one game there, going for 25 points, six rebounds and seven assists in his Capital City Go-Go debut.)

Although Riley is averaging just 6.8 minutes for Washington, the fact that the Wizards' brass has decided to keep him around all season long is a testament to what he has shown so far in Year 1.

Terrence Shannon Jr., guard

Heading into Shannon's second NBA season, there were some whispers that he could be a dark horse candidate for the league's Most Improved Player award. Unfortunately, he has yet to enter that race – or any race, for that matter – as he has been battling a left foot fifth metatarsal bone bruise since early November.

But on Nov. 24, Shannon finally returned to action, playing seven minutes in his squad’s overtime loss to Sacramento to begin reacclimating to NBA play. In the T-Wolves’ most recent outing, which was NBA Cup action against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Shannon played 17 minutes and was unbelievably efficient, going 7-for-7 from the field, scoring 18 points and knocking down three triples.

Back in the race.

Terrence Shannon Jr.

Illini legend.

pic.twitter.com/qBuCoh69CY
— Cody Delmendo (@cody_illini) November 27, 2025