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Illinois Basketball: Best Illini 3-on-3 basketball teams

By Rees Woodcock

Dec 21, 2016; St. Louis, MO, USA; The Illinois Fighting Illini cheerleaders run on the court before a basketball game against the Missouri Tigers at Scottrade Center. Illinois won 75-66. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 21, 2016; St. Louis, MO, USA; The Illinois Fighting Illini cheerleaders run on the court before a basketball game against the Missouri Tigers at Scottrade Center. Illinois won 75-66. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 4, 2017; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Portland Trail Blazers forward Meyers Leonard (11) shoots the ball over Utah Jazz guard Alec Burks (10) during the third quarter at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Utah won 106-87. Mandatory Credit: Chris Nicoll-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 4, 2017; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Portland Trail Blazers forward Meyers Leonard (11) shoots the ball over Utah Jazz guard Alec Burks (10) during the third quarter at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Utah won 106-87. Mandatory Credit: Chris Nicoll-USA TODAY Sports /

Team 2: Brandon Paul, DJ Richardson, Meyers Leonard

The biggest surprise team of this 3-on-3 tournament would be the combination of Brandon Paul, DJ Richardson and Meyers Leonard. These three could really make an impact on this tournament.

Paul would handle the ball at the top of the key. He was a great all-around player for the Illini. He finished his senior season averaging 16.6 points, 4.4 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game. His electric scoring was fun to watch as an Illini fan, and he could be dangerous in a 3-on-3 tournament situation.

The scoring would be there for this team. Paul would hold his own scoring and then he could pass to Richardson for an easy three-point shot. Richardson was one of the best three-point shooters in the history of the program. He could knock one down from anywhere on the court. He averaged over 10 points per game in three of the four seasons he was in Champaign. He finished his senior year averaging 12.3 points and 3.9 rebounds per game.

Meyers Leonard would be the wild card for this 3-on-3 team. If he would have finished all four years at Illinois he would have been the greatest big man to ever step foot on Assembly Hall. He was such a talented player in a bad situation. He would be the best center in this tournament.

With the scoring from Paul and Richardson and the ability of Leonard down low, this would be a team that would compete for a title in this tournament.

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