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Illinois Basketball: Recruiting history of top 100 point guards

By Rees Woodcock

Dec 17, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Tracy Abrams (13) reacts during the first half against the Brigham Young Cougars at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 17, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Tracy Abrams (13) reacts during the first half against the Brigham Young Cougars at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 9, 2017; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Deron Williams (31) and forward LeBron James (23) talk to referee Justin Van Duyne (64) during the third quarter against the Detroit Pistons at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Pistons won 106-101. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 9, 2017; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Deron Williams (31) and forward LeBron James (23) talk to referee Justin Van Duyne (64) during the third quarter against the Detroit Pistons at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Pistons won 106-101. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 56 Deron Williams

The class of 2002 was easily the most memorable group of players that has ever stepped foot on the State Farm Center floor, formerly known as Assembly Hall. This group included four top 75 players and the future was extremely bright for the program.

Deron Williams was a member of this great class and would soon transform into one of the best players in the history of the Illinois basketball team.

Winning the state of Illinois in recruiting has been a huge part of prior program success, but Bill Self went out of state to get Williams.

Williams was from The Colony High School in Texas. He was a big-time recruit that was looking at multiple schools including Maryland and Georgia Tech. But, Illinois managed to snag him and continue building this program.

Coming out of Texas, Williams was a four-star recruit who was the No. 56 player in the class of 2002 and the No. 12 point guard in the nation. Illinois could always use more guard help and that is what he provided.

Much like Brown, Williams had a great career from the start. His junior year he averaged 12.5 points, 6.8 assists and 3.6 rebounds per game. These were great stats and he even led the Illini to the national championship game to take on the North Carolina Tar Heels.

Despite the end result not being what anyone in Illini Nation wanted Williams still had a good season. He decided to forgo his final year of eligibility and entered the NBA Draft. He is still playing in the NBA today and could win an NBA title with the Cleveland Cavaliers this season.

Next: Illini likely to make cut for Ayo Dosunmu

Williams was a special player, much like that team that went to the title game. He is missed greatly and so is that era of Illinois basketball.

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