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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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Feb 3, 2016; Piscataway, NJ, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard D.J. Williams (0) dribbles the ball in the first half at Louis Brown Athletic Center. Mandatory Credit: William Hauser-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 3, 2016; Piscataway, NJ, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard D.J. Williams (0) dribbles the ball in the first half at Louis Brown Athletic Center. Mandatory Credit: William Hauser-USA TODAY Sports /

DJ Williams

The freshman season for DJ Williams wasn’t extraordinary by any means.  He didn’t play a lot of minutes early on, but towards the end of the season, he saw a bump in playing time.

When Illinois fans did see Williams play, it was like we were watching someone who has an extremely high ceiling that hasn’t fully tapped into his potential.

Williams is an extremely athletic forward that just does anything he is asked to do.  He can pull down rebounds and get to the rim for an easy basket.

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Williams is a lunch pail guy who comes to work, does what needs to be done, and then goes home.  He is going to develop into one of the leaders on this team with that type of attitude.

Reminds Me Of: Thabo Sefolosha, Atlanta Hawks

The one guy that keeps coming to mind in the NBA that Williams reminds me of is Atlanta Hawks forward, Thabo Sefolosha.

Sefolosha started his career out with the Chicago Bulls and then proceeded to play for the Oklahoma City Thunder and is now in the playoffs with the Atlanta Hawks.

In his time in the NBA, Sefolosha has been the player that just does everything.  This season he has averaged 6.4 PPG, 4.5 RPG, and 1.4 APG.  His production has helped the Hawks to the second round of the NBA Playoffs.

Next: Jalen Coleman-Lands

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