Illinois has produced a handful of NBA-caliber players over the past few years \u2013 two of which are already well-established rotation players in the Chicago Bulls\u2019 Ayo Dosunmu and the Minnesota Timberwolves\u2019 Terrence Shannon Jr., along with a pair of rookies with high upside in Kasparas Jakucionis (Miami Heat) and Will Riley (Washington Wizards).<\/p>\n
Here\u2019s the latest update on each member of the former Illini quartet:<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Nov 21, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Ayo Dosunmu (11) stands on the court during the second half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images \/ Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images<\/p>\n
Ayo Dosunmu, guard<\/p>\n
Since arriving in the NBA in 2021, Dosunmu has steadily progressed and seen an uptick in his production on a year-to-year basis. So far, through 16 games of the 2025-26 campaign, he is continuing that trend.\u00a0<\/p>\n
A 6-foot-5 guard, Dosunmu is averaging a career-high 15.7 points while adding 2.6 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game. His shooting percentages, if they were to hold, would be career bests from the field (55.2 percent), three-point line (47.5 percent) and free-throw line (85.1 percent).\u00a0<\/p>\n
The season is young, but Dosunmu appears to be in the midst of his best NBA campaign yet. And although his squad has cooled off recently (the Bulls are now 9-9), Dosunmu was a key factor in their hot 5-0 start.<\/p>\n
have been thinking a lot this year about the players who break the NBA meta trends, and ayo dosunmu is an elite press breaker. dynamic, explosive driver who eats in early offense<\/p>\n
his highest volume rim attempt season (6.8\/75) isn’t coming by accident, he’s a stellar slasher pic.twitter.com\/X0OruV7RDC<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 ben pfeifer (@bjpf_) November 11, 2025<\/a>Kasparas Jakucionis, guard<\/p>\n After fighting through a lingering groin injury, Jakucionis finally returned to the floor, and the Miami Heat elected to ease the rookie guard back into action by sending him to the organization\u2019s G-League affiliate: the Sioux Falls Skyforce.\u00a0<\/p>\n Perhaps the change of scenery and brutal conditions up in South Dakota (it\u2019s currently 20 degrees and snowing in Sioux Falls, while Miami is a lukewarm 77 degrees) was exactly what Jakucionis needed, as the 6-foot-6 first-year player has been filling it up for the Skyforce.<\/p>\n In five games, Jakucionis is averaging 14.8 points, 5.0 rebounds and 5.2 assists. But \u2013 and it would shock no Illini fan to hear this \u2013 his ball security remains an issue: He\u2019s averaging 3.2 turnovers.\u00a0<\/p>\n Kasparas Jakucionis in the G-League last night:<\/p>\n 18 PTS The turnovers are going down each game and he\u2019s playing with more confidence. The potential is there. pic.twitter.com\/5pHfaO5LNF<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 \ud835\ude43\ud835\ude5a\ud835\ude56\ud835\ude69\ud835\ude3e\ud835\ude6a\ud835\ude61\ud835\ude69\ud835\ude6a\ud835\ude67\ud835\ude5a (@WadexFlash) November 27, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n On the flip side, Jakucionis is registering a surprising 2.4 steals per game \u2013 nearly snatching back just as much as he gives up. His efficiency still remains a question mark, though, as he is shooting just 37.5 percent from the field and 25.0 percent from deep.<\/p>\n Bonus update: Jakucionis\u2019 Skyforce will meet former Illini Coleman Hawkins\u2019 Grand Rapids Gold on Saturday night at 7 p.m. CT.<\/p>\n Will Riley, forward Nov 21, 2025; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Will Riley (27) of the Washington Wizards dribbles against Ja’Kobe Walter (14) of the Toronto Raptors during the second half at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Sousa-Imagn Images \/ Kevin Sousa-Imagn Images<\/p>\n Appearing in 13 games, Riley has seen the floor in practically every outing this year \u2013 quite the encouraging sign for a rookie who was initially expected<\/a> to spend the majority of his season in the G-League.\u00a0(He did suit up in one game there, going for 25 points, six rebounds and seven assists in his Capital City Go-Go debut.)<\/p>\n Although Riley is averaging just 6.8 minutes for Washington, the fact that the Wizards’ brass has decided to keep him around all season long is a testament to what he has shown so far in Year 1.<\/p>\n Terrence Shannon Jr., guard<\/p>\n Heading into Shannon’s second NBA season, there were some whispers that he could be a dark horse candidate for the league’s Most Improved Player award. Unfortunately, he has yet to enter that race \u2013 or any race, for that matter \u2013 as he has been battling a left foot fifth metatarsal bone bruise since early November.<\/p>\n But on Nov. 24, Shannon finally returned to action, playing seven minutes in his squad\u2019s overtime loss to Sacramento to begin reacclimating to NBA play. In the T-Wolves\u2019 most recent outing, which was NBA Cup action against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Shannon played 17 minutes and was unbelievably efficient, going 7-for-7 from the field, scoring 18 points and knocking down three triples. <\/p>\n Back in the race. <\/p>\n Terrence Shannon Jr.<\/p>\n Illini legend.<\/p>\n pic.twitter.com\/qBuCoh69CY<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Cody Delmendo (@cody_illini) November 27, 2025<\/a>
5 REB
7 AST
3 STL
2 TO
5\/5 FTM (100 FT%)<\/p>\n<\/p>\n