Illinois looking to make strides on defense with additions like Kasparas Jakucionis

CHAMPAIGN (WCIA) — One of the biggest offseason additions for Illinois Basketball has made a strong impression this summer upon his arrival in Champaign.

Kasparas Jakucionis recently returned overseas to compete in the Euro Basket event. The top-40 recruit according to 247 Sports averaged 19.4 points, 5.3 assists and 4.3 rebounds per game, including 37 points in a game against France.

Illini Head Coach Brad Underwood is eager to see how he fits in a new look roster.

“He’s going to take what the game gives him. I think he’ll do that here,” Underwood said.

“I’m just excited to see him with our guys and see what that looks like. He’s an ultimate playmaker. He’s a shot maker when he needs to be. We’ll be using him in some ball screens and they didn’t do a ton of that in the U18’s.”

The 6’6″ Jakucionis adds size and length to an Illinois roster with 10 news players. Nine of those new additions are at least 6’6″, which has Underwood confident the team will be more proficient at protecting the rim after finish 10th in points allowed last season.

“I think we’ll protect the rim better I like our positional size,” Underwood said.

“I say all the time, that’s where our chemistry has to be. That’s where our toughness has to be. The basis of what we’re doing, we’ve changed some things schematically because of our size, because of what we do, but that foundation is in.”

Underwood also said that Croatian Center Tomislav Ivisic is awaiting full NCAA eligibility since arriving on campus, but added that the situation is moving in a positive direction.

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