Next: 2010: Jereme Richmond
The 2002 McDonald’s All-American team featured one player who would go on to be a legend in an Illini jersey.
That player was Dee Brown.
Illinois Fighting Illini
Brown came into the Illinois basketball program as a 5-star recruit and expectations as high as the sky. He lived up to those expectations every time he took the court.
Brown’s freshman season was Cook’s final year when Illinois was eliminated in the second round by Notre Dame.
That year Brown averaged 12 PPG, 3.7 RPG and 5 APG. His freshman season was one of the best I have ever witnessed.
The following year you could see some great things happening with the Illinois basketball team. They made it to the Sweet 16 that year and made a run at No. 1 Duke.
Brown averaged 13.3 PGP, 3.7 RPG and 4.5 APG that season.
Brown and the Illini reached the pinnacle in the 2004-05 season when they made it to the National Championship but fell just short to North Carolina.
That Illinois team is the greatest group of players I have ever seen as a fan. Brown was one of the main leaders that year averaging 13.3 PPG, 2.7 RPG and 4.5 APG. His speed and ability helped set the Illini apart from the other teams.
Brown declared for the NBA Draft after his junior year but an injury set him back so he decided to return for his senior season.
It was a privilege to watch Brown another year in an Illini jersey. While Illinois only made it to the second round of the tournament, Brown still averaged 14.2 PPG, 3.1 RPG and 5.8 APG.
Brown goes down as one of the best, if not the best, Illinois basketball player of all-time.