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Illinois Basketball: Illini NBA Draft Prospects

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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Dec 9, 2015; Champaign, IL, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Malcolm Hill (21) smiles after a foul by Yale Bulldogs forward Justin Sears (22) at State Farm Center. Illinois beat Yale 69 to 65. Mandatory Credit: Mike Granse-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 9, 2015; Champaign, IL, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Malcolm Hill (21) smiles after a foul by Yale Bulldogs forward Justin Sears (22) at State Farm Center. Illinois beat Yale 69 to 65. Mandatory Credit: Mike Granse-USA TODAY Sports /

Malcolm Hill

The most NBA ready player on the Illinois basketball team is Malcolm Hill.  There really isn’t a question about that statement.

Hill is coming into this season as the leader of this team that needs to make the postseason.  He had a great year last season but it is time for him to step up as a leader.

I love Hill’s ability to drive the basketball.  He can get to the rim and that is important in the NBA.  I also like how he can pull up from mid-range and knock down a big shot.

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Best Case

This season is a make or break for the Illini and for Hill as a player.  If he can show the NBA scouts that he is ready to take the leap to the next level then I think he is going to be drafted high.

The best case scenario I have for Hill is that the Illini have a great year and he becomes a top 14 pick in the 2017 NBA Draft.

Worst Case

Hill has shown his ability to score, but the team continues to lose.  He might not get noticed nearly as much if the team flounders to another bad record.

Worst case scenario is that Illinois struggles this season, despite Hill having a solid year.  This ends up dropping him to the middle of the second round.

Next: Mike Thorne Jr.

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