Illinois Basketball: Illini McDonald’s All-American History

Next: 1992: Richard Keene

After a great run in the 80’s the Illinois basketball team needed to gear up again to have a solid run in the 90’s.  This run would need to include more McDonald’s All-Americans.

The next on the list was Deon Thomas.

Illinois Fighting Illini

Thomas was a McDonald’s All-American in 1989.  He decided to come to Illinois but after some things went down with the program and a former assistant, Thomas had to sit out his first season.

The 1990-1991 season was the first year Thomas could show off his true talents.  He average 15.3 PPG and 6.6 RPG that first season.

Illinois won 21 games that year but since the NCAA imposed sanctions on the Illini they weren’t allowed to play in the tournament.

The following season Thomas improved his performance.  He averaged 19.4 PPG and 6.9 RPG that year but Illinois didn’t do so well.  They finished with 13 wins and for the second straight year was not a part of the postseason.

Thomas led Illinois the next season back to the tournament after a two year draught.  They advanced to the second round at the No. 6 seed.

That year Thomas averaged 18.3 PPG and 8 RPG.

The 1993-94 season would the final one in this roller coaster saga.  Thomas once again put up some pretty good numbers.  He averaged 19.6 PPG and 6.9 RPG.

The Illini made it back to the tournament and was ousted in the first round to Georgetown.

Thomas had a long basketball career with the Illini.  He put up some great numbers and will go down as one of the best to ever don an Illinois jersey.