{"id":129313,"date":"2025-06-27T16:26:13","date_gmt":"2025-06-27T16:26:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/129313\/"},"modified":"2025-06-27T16:26:13","modified_gmt":"2025-06-27T16:26:13","slug":"4-players-with-illinois-ties-selected-in-1st-round-of-nba-draft","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/129313\/","title":{"rendered":"4 players with Illinois ties selected in 1st round of NBA draft"},"content":{"rendered":"

Four players with Illinois ties began their NBA journeys Wednesday night when they heard their names called during the first round of the NBA draft.<\/p>\n

Joliet native Jeremiah Fears went at No. 7 to the New Orleans Pelicans. Illinois teammates Kasparas Jaku\u010dionis and Will Riley were picked back-to-back, Jaku\u010dionis going 20th to the Miami Heat and Riley 21st to the Washington Wizards. They became the first Illini teammates selected in the first round<\/a> of the same draft since Deron Williams and Luther Head in 2005.<\/p>\n

Finally, Glencoe native Danny Wolf waited much of the night before hearing his name called with the 27th pick by the Brooklyn Nets in an emotional moment with his family.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s what to know about each of them.<\/p>\n

Jeremiah Fears, freshman guard, Oklahoma<\/p>\n

No. 7 pick, New Orleans Pelicans\u00a0<\/p>\n

Fears\u2019 mother, Sekia, couldn\u2019t stop crying. Sitting beside Oklahoma coach Porter Moser at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, she watched her son cross the stage and share a photo with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver. ESPN cameras caught the moment afterward, tears streaming down Sekia Fears\u2019 cheeks.<\/p>\n

Jeremiah Fears wore a suit in Sooners crimson and two chains: one that said \u201cFears\u201d and the other with the Oklahoma \u201cO.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was super dope,\u201d Fears said afterward. \u201cIt was definitely one of those things that you will never forget, something that you dream about for a long time.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"JeremiahJeremiah Fears poses on the red carpet before the NBA draft Wednesday, June 25, 2025, in New York. (Sarah Stier\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

His journey will continue in New Orleans, but it started in Joliet. Fears began his high school career at Joliet West before transferring to Arizona Compass Prep near Phoenix after his sophomore season. He\u2019s the younger brother of Michigan State guard Jeremy Fears Jr., and their father, Jeremy Fears, played college basketball at Ohio University and Bradley.<\/p>\n

A top-rated recruit nationally, Jeremiah Fears initially committed to Brad Underwood and Illinois. Last summer, however, he decommitted from the Illini and decided to join Moser, the former Loyola coach, at Oklahoma. He also reclassified into the Class of 2024 so he could join the Sooners a year early. Thanks to that move, he was one of the youngest players in this year\u2019s draft (he won\u2019t turn 19 until mid-October).<\/p>\n

Fears led Oklahoma with 17.1 points and 4.1 assists per game. He showed an ability to get to the rim and the free-throw line. His 183 made free throws were tied for 11th in the nation.<\/p>\n

\u201cGreat speed with the ball, an excellent handle and dynamic in pick-and-roll situations,\u201d ESPN analyst Jay Bilas said. \u201cVery productive, uses his body well, a knack to get into the lane and get fouled.\u201d<\/p>\n

Kasparas Jaku\u010dionis, freshman guard, Illinois
\n\"KasparasKasparas Jaku\u010dionis poses for a camera after being selected 20th by the Miami Heat in the first round of the NBA draft on June 25, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo\/Adam Hunger)<\/p>\n

No. 20, Miami Heat<\/p>\n

Jaku\u010dionis went into the night projected as a likely lottery pick. So it was somewhat of a surprise when he was still available at No. 20.<\/p>\n

The Heat took full advantage.<\/p>\n

The 19-year-old grew up in Lithuania<\/a>, a country that has produced numerous NBA talents, including 2024 Chicago Bulls first-round pick Matas Buzelis<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn Lithuania, basketball is like (a) second religion,\u201d Jaku\u010dionis said.<\/p>\n

He played for FC Barcelona before coming to America to play for Underwood at Illinois.<\/p>\n

Chicago Bulls draft French teen Noa Essengue at No. 12, opting for upside and versatility<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p>\n

Jaku\u010dionis plays with a blend of size, feel and vision. He averaged 15 points, 5.7 rebounds and 4.7 assists while totaling six double-doubles \u2014 including one in Illinois\u2019 first-round NCAA Tournament win<\/a> over Xavier. He excelled as a playmaker in pick-and-rolls and showed a high-level ability to find his teammates for open shots.<\/p>\n

The biggest question mark with Jaku\u010dionis seems to be whether he\u2019ll develop as a scorer at the next level. He shot 32% from 3-point range last season. Turnovers were a problem from time to time during his lone season in Champaign.<\/p>\n

Underwood was in New York to support Jaku\u010dionis and his teammate Riley. Jaku\u010dionis wouldn\u2019t have had it any other way.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve only been there for one year, but we\u2019ve connected so good,\u201d Jaku\u010dionis said. \u201cI feel like they\u2019re my family and I\u2019m so happy to share the moment with them because I really believe that they trusted me this year, they gave me the keys to the team, and I\u2019m so grateful that they could be here with me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Will Riley, freshman guard\/forward, Illinois
\n\"WillWill Riley shakes hands with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver after the Utah Jazz drafted him at No. 21 on Wednesday, June 25, 2025. (Sarah Stier\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

No. 21, Washington Wizards (via trade with Utah Jazz)<\/p>\n

After Jaku\u010dionis went 20th, Underwood didn\u2019t have to wait long for his other freshman to be drafted. Riley went 21st, initially donning a Jazz hat, although his draft rights were traded to the Wizards.<\/p>\n

Going back-to-back was a special moment for the Illini freshmen.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe went through the whole season together and we got to compete against each other through the whole season,\u201d Riley said. \u201cIt was amazing building a brotherhood with him. Going back-to-back picks, it was super nice and (we\u2019re) family for life, for sure.\u201d<\/p>\n

Riley grew up in Ontario but spent the last two years of his high school career at The Phelps School in Malvern, Pa. Last summer he reclassified into the Class of 2024 and committed to Illinois. He blossomed into the Big Ten\u2019s Sixth Man of the Year, averaging 12.6 points and 4.1 rebounds coming off the bench for the Illini.<\/p>\n

His 6-foot-8 height combined with the ability to move without the ball and create off the dribble makes him an intriguing prospect. On the flip side, at 186 pounds Riley will have to bulk up if he\u2019s going to handle the physical rigors of the pro game.<\/p>\n

At Illinois, Riley was never afraid to try a contested shot. He credited his more veteran teammates with helping him navigate his freshman season.<\/p>\n

\u201cI feel like I already went through all that adversity, so I know how to deal with it now and I know how to stay confident and stay modest through it all and stay level-headed,\u201d Riley said.<\/p>\n

Danny Wolf, junior forward\/center, Michigan
\n\"DannyDanny Wolf shakes hands with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver after the Brooklyn Nets selected him at No. 27 on Wednesday, June 25, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo\/Adam Hunger)<\/p>\n

No. 27, Brooklyn Nets<\/p>\n

Wolf had his head down, eyes glued to his phone.<\/p>\n

One of the last players sitting on the floor at the Barclays Center, the nervous energy had long since turned to worry. Worry that he would leave the arena Thursday night and not hear his name announced at all.<\/p>\n

When the Nets selected Wolf with the 27th pick, the 6-11 big man let out a huge exhale<\/a> and shared a hug with his brother. Much of Wolf\u2019s family was soon in tears.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s really hard to put into words,\u201d Wolf said of the emotions involved. \u201cIt\u2019s such a unique, special opportunity and experience. In terms of being in the green room, I didn\u2019t exactly know how long I would\u2019ve been sitting there for.\u201d<\/p>\n

Wolf played his first three years of high school ball at Lake Forest Academy before transferring to Northfield Mount Hermon, a prep school in Massachusetts, for his senior season. He initially played two years at Yale and was a member of the 2023-24 team that upset Auburn as a No. 13 seed in the NCAA Tournament.<\/p>\n

After that season, Wolf transferred to Michigan to play for first-year Wolverines coach Dusty May.<\/p>\n

During his lone season in Ann Arbor, Wolf averaged 13.2 points, 9.7 rebounds and 3.6 assists and totaled 50 blocks in 37 games. Wolf has excellent footwork, is able to handle the ball at his size and can knock down the occasional 3-pointer (34% for the season).<\/p>\n

After waiting several hours to hear his name, Wolf likened it to his entire basketball journey. His path has been unconventional \u2014 he hardly played his freshman year at Yale \u2014 but it has led him to Brooklyn.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t think where you\u2019re drafted defines you. It\u2019s just the start of getting into the league,\u201d Wolf said. \u201cIt\u2019s been my basketball journey thus far, having to go step by step. Underrecruited out of high school, unranked, so to speak, and Yale took a chance on me.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Nets are taking a chance on him too.<\/p>\n

Originally Published: June 26, 2025 at 7:13 AM CDT<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Four players with Illinois ties began their NBA journeys Wednesday night when they heard their names called during…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":129314,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[7,7641,2050,1042,983,229,6,12,982],"class_list":{"0":"post-129313","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-nba-draft","8":"tag-basketball","9":"tag-big-ten","10":"tag-brad-underwood","11":"tag-danny-wolf","12":"tag-jeremiah-fears","13":"tag-kasparas-jakucionis","14":"tag-nba","15":"tag-nba-draft","16":"tag-will-riley"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/channels.im\/@nba\/114756268092037874","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/129313","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=129313"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/129313\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/129314"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=129313"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=129313"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=129313"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}