May 2024 Basketball Wiretap

Kasparas Jakucionis Commits To Illinois

May 28, 2024 9:11 AM

Lithuania guard Kasparas Jakucionis has committed to the University of Illinois. Jakucionis is considered one of the top international guards heading to a United States college, and he's a potential first-round pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.

The 6-foot-6 guard has appeared in five games for Barcelona across various competitions over the last two seasons. Across multiple different competition, with Barcelona and their youth team, Jakucionis averaged 17.7 points, 6.0 rebounds and 5.2 assists.

Jakucionis is just one of what is expected to be several international players to commit to playing college basketball in the United States. The advent of NIL deals has made collegiate basketball a more attractive path for foreign-born players than it used to be.

Jonathan Givony/ESPN

Tags: Kasparas Jakucionis, Illinois Fighting Illini, Barca, NCAA, NCAA Recruiting, International, International Teams, NCAA Commitment, International Misc Rumor

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Evan Fournier Prioritizing NBA Contract Over Return To Europe

May 28, 2024 8:46 AM

Veteran wing Evan Fournier is prioritizing staying the NBA for his next contract, as opposed to returning to play in Europe. A rumor came up at the EuroLeague Final Four that Fournier could play for Olympiacos in Greece or ASVEL in his native France next season.

The Detroit Pistons hold a $19 million team option for Fournier for next season. The Pistons are expected to decline that option to create cap space. That will make Fournier an unrestricted free agent this summer.

Fournier is expected to play for France at the 2024 Summer Olympics. He's likely to know his NBA future ahead of the Olympics, which will begin in Paris and the surrounding area in late July.

Fournier has played for the Denver Nuggets, Orlando Magic, Boston Celtics and New York Knicks, in addition to the Pistons, in his 12-year NBA career. New York traded Fournier to the Detroit at this season's trade deadline.

Basket USA

Tags: Evan Fournier, Detroit Pistons, ASVEL Basket, Olympiacos, NBA, NBA Misc Rumor, International, International Teams, International Misc Rumor

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Panathinaikos Wins EuroLeague Championship

May 26, 2024 5:37 PM

Panathinaikos won the 2024 EuroLeague Championship with a 95-80 victory over Real Madrid on Sunday. This is the seventh EuroLeague title for Panathinaikos 

Guard Kostas Sloukas was named the EuroLeague Final Four MVP. He finished with 24 points in the title game. Kendrick Nunn scored 21 points, Mathias Lessort scored 17 points, while Jerian Grant added 11 points, six rebounds and five assists.

Dzanan Musa led Real Madrid with 15 points.

RealGM Staff Report

Tags: Kostas Sloukas, Kendrick Nunn, Mathias Lessort, Jerian Grant, Dzanan Musa, Panathinaikos, Real Madrid, International, International Teams, International Misc Rumor

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Over 200 Players Declared As Early Entry Candidates For 2024 NBA Draft

May 2, 2024 9:51 AM

After a handful of clerical errors were corrected, over 200 players declared as Early Entry Candidates for the 2024 NBA Draft. Six additional players were added to the list, including potential draftees Walter Clayton Jr. (Florida), Caleb Love (Arizona), Ugonna Onyenso (Kentucky) and Hunter Sallis (Wake Forest).

You can find the full list of 2024 Early Entry Candidates here.

Of the previously announced players, there were no real surprises. All of the players (both college and international) that have featured as lottery picks in mock drafts, declared as Early Entry Candidates.

NCAA players have until Wednesday, May 29 to withdraw from the draft while maintaining NCAA eligibility. The NBA's withdrawal deadline for all other players is Sunday, June 16.

The 2024 NBA Draft will be held over two nights for the first time. The first round will be Wednesday, June 26. The second round will be Thursday, June 27.

RealGM Staff Report

Tags: NCAA, NBA, NBA NBA Draft, International, NBA Draft Declarations, International Misc Rumor, NCAA Misc Rumor

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