Illinois' Kasparas Jakucionis Honored in Andy Katz's End-of-Season Awards

The Illini guard was named to Katz's All-Freshman Second Team on Tuesday

Feb 22, 2025; New York, NY, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Kasparas Jakucionis (32) at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images | Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

On Tuesday morning, Illinois freshman lead guard Kasparas Jakucionis was named to the All-Big Ten Third Team and All-Big Ten Freshman Team. But Jakucionis’ excellent first-year campaign hasn’t caught the eye only of Big Ten coaches and media.

In Andy Katz’s end-of-year awards, the college basketball expert listed Jakucionis on his All-Freshman Second Team for the entire country. 

Our @MarchMadnessMBB all-freshman second-team: https://t.co/KxSYzaWD7F https://t.co/GFj0vkHoVD

— Andy Katz (@TheAndyKatz) March 11, 2025

Leading Illinois in scoring (15.2 per game) and assists (4.8 per game), Jakucionis also adds 5.6 rebounds per outing and has been the driving force of the Illini’s 15th-ranked offense (according to KenPom). Behind Jakucionis, the Illini put together a 20-11 (12-8 Big Ten) regular season that has them currently ranked at No. 24 in the country.

Jakucionis delivered one of the best freshman campaigns in program history, setting the record for most 20-point games for a first-year player in Illini history – a record he impressively broke in early February.

KJ is up to 20 points!

That's the new Illinois freshman record for most 20-point games in a season 👀

📺: @BigTenNetwork pic.twitter.com/s4pKzvLUnb

— Illinois Men's Basketball (@IlliniMBB) February 9, 2025

A creative, clutch shot-maker with a deep bag, Jakucionis has knocked down go-ahead threes and a variety of daggers for Illinois over the course of the season. And with the Big Ten Tournament and NCAA Tournament around the corner, the Illini may need a few more big shots from their offense's big shot.

ICE 🗡️ COLD 🗡️ KJ pic.twitter.com/zD1L3j7ZKE

— Illinois Men's Basketball (@IlliniMBB) March 8, 2025

As Jakucionis continues to rake in the awards, he and his squad await the winner of Wednesday's first-round Big Ten Tournament matchup between Iowa and Ohio State in Indianapolis. Illinois will face that matchup Thursday at 5:30 p.m. CT at Gainbridge Fieldhouse (on Peacock).

All Big Ten players on Katz’s All-Freshman Teams:

First Team

Derik Queen (Maryland)

Dylan Harper (Rutgers)

Jase Richardson (Michigan State)

Second Team

Ace Bailey (Rutgers)

Kasparas Jakucionis (Illinois)

More From Illinois on Sports Illustrated:

Illinois Basketball's Will Riley Named Big Ten Sixth Man of the Year

Bret Bielema's Snarky Social Media Post on Illinois Basketball's AP Ranking

Illinois Basketball Extends Offer to Class of 2026 Prospect Jasiah Jarvis