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Miami Heat Draft Illinois’ Kasparas Jakucionis: What He’ll Bring

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Miami Heat Draft Illinois’ Kasparas Jakucionis: What He’ll Bring


On Wednesday, the Miami Heat drafted Illinois guard Kasparas Jakucionis with the 20th pick in the NBA Draft. After he was projected in the No. 8-12 range, Jakucionis’ slip to 20 was a bit of a surprise, but the Heat snatched him up in what figures to be an excellent match for both player and franchise.

Here’s what Miami can expect to get from Jakucionis:

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Offensively, Jakucionis is a dynamic scorer and a game-altering playmaker. Although he isn’t a superb athlete, he has solid burst in his first step and plays with a distinct herky-jerky change of pace, while possessing highly coveted positional size (6-foot-6 at point guard). Terrifically crafty and exceptionally patient in the paint, Jakucionis has in his bag seemingly every up-fake, step-through and spin known to mankind.

With the ability to finish with either hand and in practically any manner (same hand, same foot, high off the glass, etc.), Jakucionis finishes well at the rim and is even better at drawing fouls (he shot 5.1 free throws per game last season) – an ability that will only be enhanced by offense-lenient whistles in the league.

As a shooter, Jakucionis has a smooth stroke and always appears to be balanced on his jumper. Although he shot just 31.8 percent from deep, Jakucionis did connect on 1.6 threes per game, and notably took ill-advised jumpers – often step-backs – at times. Between the eye test and his excellent free throw percentage (84.5 percent), he can be expected to boost that percentage as an NBA player – perhaps quickly.

The top table-setter in this draft class, Jakucionis has that third eye – the ability to see a play unfold before it actually happens – and subsequently can move defenders around like pieces on a chess board. He’s an on-target passer, able to deliver dimes with either hand.

Jakucionis brings together the best pieces of his game – change of pace, craftiness, feel and passing – to create a dominant ball handler in screen-and-roll situations. He makes consistently strong decisions in the two-man game, understanding when to hit his roller, the spot-up shooter in the corner or finish off a play with a bucket himself.

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Yet Jakucionis is hardly a perfect player – and the shortcomings in his game are quite apparent. He led the Big Ten in turnovers per game last season (3.7) and has a tendency to dribble himself into poor situations too often – or simply lose his handle altogether. With a high dribble and an occasionally overconfident attitude toward ball security, Jakucionis is prone to getting his pocket picked. He also forces passes into tight windows, which can make him look like Magic Johnson’s heir apparent but just as often makes him look like an alter ego: Tragic Johnson.

Still, the turnovers can be cleaned up over time, and they often aren’t a stat that deters NBA front offices – especially in young point guards. The biggest question mark surrounding Jakucionis in the early going will be his lack of athleticism and, in turn, his ability to effectively defend at the next level.

His quick burst on the offensive end hasn’t translated to defense, and he isn’t a high flyer. Jakucionis’ tendency to fall asleep in help-side certainly doesn’t bolster his case. But given his high-IQ offense, there’s potential for him to develop into an average NBA defender who can rely on anticipation to stay afloat, while making sure his presence is felt on the other end.

Come back to Illinois on SI for news, analysis, social media reactions and more coverage of Illinois in the NBA Draft.

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Ted Dabrowski running for Illinois Gov. | The Chicago Report

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Ted Dabrowski running for Illinois Gov. | The Chicago Report


Believe it or not – we are only weeks away from early voting here in the 2026 primary elections. There are several contested races to think about – one of them is the race for Governor. J.B. Pritzker is uncontested on the democratic side to seek a third term leading Illinois. But several candidates are vying to be the nominee on the republican side – and tonight we meet one, Ted Dabrowski – a North Shore businessman and former policy analyst for the publication Wirepoints.



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Fire sweeps through apartment building, displaces residents in Woodridge, Illinois

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Fire sweeps through apartment building, displaces residents in Woodridge, Illinois



People ran out of their homes into the cold overnight Tuesday into Wednesday after a fire broke out in an apartment building in the western Chicago suburb of Woodridge.

The fire broke out in a multi-family building at 7900 Janes Ave., near Forest Drive.

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Smoke was seen billowing as firefighters stood on the roof.

One firefighter suffered minor injuries fighting the blaze, according to the Lisle-Woodridge Fire Protection District.

Fire officials said several units have major damage, and the families who reside in them have been displaced.

The American Red Cross was assisting the displaced residents Wednesday morning.

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Illinois Racing Board suspends Hawthorne Race Course’s license, putting future in jeopardy

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Illinois Racing Board suspends Hawthorne Race Course’s license, putting future in jeopardy


STICKNEY, Ill. (WLS) — The future of racing at Hawthorne Race Course in south suburban Stickney is in jeopardy.

The Illinois Racing Board suspended its harnesses racing license. In a letter sent Monday to Hawthorne’s president and general manager, the state agency said the track failed to prove its financial integrity.

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Jeff Davis, president of the Illinois Harness Horsemen’s Association, says the past two months have been rough.

“We don’t really know details, but what we do know is people have not been paid since before Christmas,” Davis said.

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Davis says checks started bouncing, which led to races being canceled over the past few weekends.

SEE ALSO | Hawthorne Race Course not offering window betting for Kentucky Derby amid Churchill Downs dispute

“Six weeks ago, they couldn’t cash a $400 check to a trainer,” Davis said.

The remaining three races left this season are unlikely unless Hawthorne owners can prove financial stability. Hawthorne officials have not returned messages seeking comment on the issue. But it is just one of many issues facing the track. There has been an effort for nearly six years to get an approved casino up and running, but the owners cannot find a partner.

“Horse racing in every state now only survives because it has additional forms of revenue from casinos, slot machines,” said Paulick Report Publisher Ray Paulick.

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Hawthorne is the only racetrack in the Chicago area and has the right to veto another one built within 35 miles. But those in the industry hope a bill before the state legislature will repeal that.

“The harness horsemen are asking the state legislature to take away that exclusivity, because Hawthorne isn’t in a position to build another track if they can’t keep the one they have going,” Paulick said.

READ MORE | Hawthorne Race Course, Illinois’ oldest horse racing track poised to be first with casino

In the meantime, Davis says he hopes the season can be salvaged.

“It really is sad. It’s a 100-year-old business. They’ve been trying, but I don’t know if they have the ability to actually get done what they’ve been awarded to do,” Davis said.

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The Illinois Racing Board will hold its monthly meeting on Wednesday, and Hawthorne’s owner is scheduled to give an update on the track.

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