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Illinois Basketball: Comparing Illini Players to Their NBA Counterpart

By Rees Woodcock

Nov 18, 2015; Providence, RI, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Jalen Coleman-Lands (5) and guard Malcolm Hill (21) celebrate during the first half of a game against the Providence Friars at Dunkin Donuts Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 18, 2015; Providence, RI, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Jalen Coleman-Lands (5) and guard Malcolm Hill (21) celebrate during the first half of a game against the Providence Friars at Dunkin Donuts Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 18, 2015; Providence, RI, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Jalen Coleman-Lands (5) and guard Malcolm Hill (21) celebrate during the first half of a game against the Providence Friars at Dunkin Donuts Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 18, 2015; Providence, RI, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Jalen Coleman-Lands (5) and guard Malcolm Hill (21) celebrate during the first half of a game against the Providence Friars at Dunkin Donuts Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports /

The Illinois basketball team may have a few NBA caliber players on the roster right now.

Even with that said there are some traits that the current Illinois team holds that compare to current and former NBA players.

I have compared some of the Illinois players to NBA players that I think closely resemble their games and the way they play.

This comparison list I put together doesn’t mean that the Illinois counterpart will become a high-level NBA player or even make it to the league.

In this list, you will see some comparisons on the type of player that a certain member of the Illini might be and then I find their equal in the NBA.

This means if a player is hard working but doesn’t have the shooting talent, I will find the NBA player who is similar.

I also avoided having players who might not be back with the team next season because of the NCAA not allowing them to get a 6th year or legal proceedings going in a bad direction.

Here is the list of Illinois basketball players and their comparisons in the NBA.

Next: DJ Williams

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