Flashes from Illinois' freshman duo through seven games have caught the attention of scouts and experts
In this mock, Jakucionis is projected to go sixth to the Toronto Raptors, a team that would benefit tremendously from a table-setter like KJ and already seems to find value in playing a big guard at the 1.
Averaging 13.6 points, 6.0 rebounds and 6.0 assists per game, Jakucionis has been excellent through seven games for the Illini. And while his passing has been on full display in every game, the improvement in his ability to create his own shot in recent weeks has been evident and has him moving up draft boards.According to Wasserman, Jakucionis’ 67.4 percent true shooting percentage and 32.
As for Jakucionis' pro comparison, it’s likely that his clutch shot-making down the stretch against Arkansas helped some find parallels to a certain “Mr. Big Shot" – Hall of Famer Chauncey Billups.Meanwhile, Riley is pegged in Wasserman's mock draft to go at No. 22 to the Oklahoma City Thunder, a team that isn’t in desperate need of a bucket-getter but that would undoubtedly welcome another in Riley.
Wasserman praised Riley for his “tough shotmaking” and “effortlessness and fluidity," which may not be fully represented in his numbers .Riley's efficiency in the act of taking such difficult shots likely has drawn scouts to his sky-high potential – just as much as it has shined a spotlight on his sometimes-questionable shot selection.
Efficiency and decision-making can be taught. Talent – which Riley has in spades – is much harder to come by. So even if Riley merely maintains, and doesn't boost, his current numbers by season's end, expect him to climb into the lottery discussion by the time April rolls around.
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