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Illinois Basketball: Top 5 Illini players of the 2000’s decade

By Rees Woodcock

CHAMPAIGN, IL - FEBRUARY 12: Roger Powell Jr. #43, Deron Williams #5 and Luther Head #4 of the Illinois Fighting Illini look on during a game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Assembly Hall on February 12, 2005 in Champaign, Illinois. Illinois defeated Wisconsin 70-59 during their run to the Final Four. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
CHAMPAIGN, IL - FEBRUARY 12: Roger Powell Jr. #43, Deron Williams #5 and Luther Head #4 of the Illinois Fighting Illini look on during a game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Assembly Hall on February 12, 2005 in Champaign, Illinois. Illinois defeated Wisconsin 70-59 during their run to the Final Four. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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Apr 02, 2005; St Louis, Mi, USA; College Basketball.James Augustine from IL during Illinois Fighting Illini v Louisville Cardinals in the first game of the NCAA Final Four on Saturday, Apr. 2, 2005 at the Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis, MO. (Photo by Sporting News/Sporting News via Getty Images)
Apr 02, 2005; St Louis, Mi, USA; College Basketball.James Augustine from IL during Illinois Fighting Illini v Louisville Cardinals in the first game of the NCAA Final Four on Saturday, Apr. 2, 2005 at the Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis, MO. (Photo by Sporting News/Sporting News via Getty Images) /

5. James Augustine (13.6 pts, 9.1 rebs, 1.8 asts)

I think the most questionable player on this list is going to be James Augustine. He is slotted as the No. 5 best Illini player of the 2000’s.

Augustine came into the Illinois basketball program as a three-star recruit but was sensational the entire time in the Orange and Blue. He wasn’t talked about as much as the some of the other players either. But, he was a huge part of this team figuratively and literally.

During Augustine’s junior campaign, he averaged 10.1 points, 7.6 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game. This was the season the Illini went to the national title but fell just short to the North Carolina Tar Heels.

The following season, Augustine was back for the Illini. He finished up his time with Illinois averaging 13.6 points, 9.1 rebounds 1.8 assists and 1.4 steals per game. This season wasn’t as successful as his junior campaign, but the team still made it to the NCAA tournament.

I know some people are going to challenge having Augustine in the top five, but his stats are solid, he was a big part of a national title run and Illinois hasn’t had a solid big man like him in a while. He belongs in the top five.

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