The two Illini at the 2025 NBA Combine had vastly different style choices. The two freshman Illini present at the combine, guard Kasparas Jakučionis and forward Will Riley, spoke at different media availabilities on May 14. Both NBA prospects showcased two different approaches when it came to talking to the media.
The 15 minute period each athlete had to answer questions shed a light on each athlete individually and part of who they are outside of the court.
Jakučionis: put together and professional
For Jakučionis, he went with a more sophisticated fashion choice to speak with the media and news outlets. Jakučionis was wearing a business casual outfit, styling a baby blue long sleeved button up shirt with khaki colored dress pants and dress shoes to complete his look.
Riley: athletic casual
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Riley’s approach for his media availability was vastly different from his teammate’s. Riley showed up wearing athletic leisure shorts with a Nike NBA combine athletic quarter zip. The most notorious part of Riley’s outfit was his choice of sandals without socks, leaving his toes visible to anyone.
What this means
According to social categorization researchers, the way a person dresses themselves is fundamental to how they are perceived. To people unfamiliar with the Illini, they may have perceived Jakučionis as a more professional athlete and Riley as a more laid-back one. On top of style, the presentation goes hand-in-hand with the professionalism of the two athletes.
“We’re here, together, chasing our dreams,” Jakučionis said about Riley. “I just wish him the best of luck and I know he will do great.”
The Illini duo spoke highly of each other and the friendship they were able to build over their one year on the team.
“Obviously me and Kasparas are very close,” Riley shared about Jakučionis. “I was rooming with him every hotel trip we were on. We built a relationship.”
Obviously, style and choice of clothing are not the only factors when it comes to professionalism. Both Jakučionis and Riley presented themselves in a professional manner when it came to talking to the media and answering questions. From someone who was at both media times, it appeared that Jakučionis was able to speak a bit more professionally and had longer responses than Riley.
At the end of the day, fashion and the way one presents themselves is a part of who they are. But, it is interesting to see how different athletes all chasing the same goal of playing in the NBA choses different styles. Some athletes were dressed more similar to Jakučionis with a business casual look. Some athletes even went the more professional route, adding a suit jacket or a tie to their ensemble. And, on the other end of the spectrum, other athletes accompanied Riley’s laid back outfit approach. Anything and everything goes in fashion and the 2025 NBA combine was no different.
A 15 minute window with the media can only tell so much. But if one thing is the same across the board, it’s how much all of the athletes want to get drafted into the NBA to further their basketball journeys.
@lauram0131
