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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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NCAA College Basketball – Illinois head coach, Bruce Weber, Dee Brown, Deron Williams against Michigan State in East Lansing, Mich. on Feb. 1, 2005. Illinois won 81-68. (Photo by Sporting News/Sporting News via Getty Images)
NCAA College Basketball – Illinois head coach, Bruce Weber, Dee Brown, Deron Williams against Michigan State in East Lansing, Mich. on Feb. 1, 2005. Illinois won 81-68. (Photo by Sporting News/Sporting News via Getty Images) /

3. Deron Williams (14 pts, 6.2 asts, 3.2 rebs)

Deron Williams gets a boost to the No. 3 player in the 2000’s because of his accolades as a player and the impact he had in big games for the program.

Williams came in as a four-star recruit for the Illini. He was a solid contributor year one when the Illini fell in the second round of the NCAA tournament. He averaged 6.3 points, 4.5 assists and 3 rebounds per game that season.

Following a solid freshman campaign, Williams took a bigger role on the team. He became one of the go-to guys for the Illini. He averaged 14 points, 6.2 assists and 3.2 rebounds per game as a sophomore, and Illinois made it back to the Sweet 16.

Williams would only spend one more year with the Illini. During his junior season, he averaged 12.5 points, 6.8 assists and 3.6 rebounds per game as one of the leaders on the national title losing team. He was amazing that season and one of the reasons why they had the great comeback against the Arizona Wildcats in the Elite 8.

Williams ended up getting picked in the first round of the NBA Draft after he declared following his junior campaign. There is no doubt he belongs in the top five of the 2000’s. I think No. 3 is exactly where he belongs.

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