CHAMPAIGN - On the north side of the State Farm Center, in a now-familiar spot reserved for special guests, two familiar faces sat courtside as Illinois took down Indiana - and this time, Will Riley and Kasparas Jakucionis were watching, not playing.
Just a year ago, Riley and Jakucionis were the headliners, the freshmen phenoms driving the Illini through Big Ten battles and straight into the NBA Draft. Now, that spotlight has shifted to Keaton Wagler - a projected lottery pick - and David Mirkovic, who are carrying the torch for Illinois’ next generation of stars.
But during NBA All-Star Weekend, Riley and Jakucionis made it a point to return to the place that launched their pro journeys. And even with NBA jerseys on their backs now, there's still a part of them that feels like they belong on that college hardwood.
“It feels like yesterday,” Riley said, glancing at the court. “It feels like I should be out there right now.
It’s crazy. It went by very quick, but I’m super extremely blessed I got put in that situation.”
Jakucionis, who was taken 20th overall by the Miami Heat, made his mark in Champaign as a do-it-all guard. He earned Second Team All-Big Ten honors with 15.0 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 4.7 assists per game - a stat line that spoke to his versatility and poise beyond his years.
Riley, meanwhile, brought energy and scoring punch off the bench, earning Big Ten Sixth Man of the Year honors. He averaged 12.6 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 2.2 assists, and was selected 21st overall by the Utah Jazz before being dealt to the Washington Wizards on draft night.
Both players were back in the locker room after the Illini’s win over Indiana, reconnecting with former teammates and soaking in the atmosphere that shaped their rise. They weren’t alone.
Dain Dainja, the former frontcourt anchor, was there too. And Terrence Shannon Jr., now with the Minnesota Timberwolves, spent the week around the team - even stepping into a scout-team role during practice to help simulate Indiana star Lamar Wilkerson ahead of the matchup.
It was a full-circle moment for a program that’s become a launchpad for NBA talent. And for Riley and Jakucionis, the visit was more than just a trip down memory lane - it was a reminder of how fast the game moves, and how deep the roots run in Champaign.