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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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CHAMPAIGN, IL – JANUARY 12: Dee Brown #11 and Deron Williams #5 of the Illinois Fighting Illini look on during a game against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Assembly Hall on January 12, 2005 in Champaign, Illinois. Illinois defeated Penn State 90-64 during their run to the Final Four. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
CHAMPAIGN, IL – JANUARY 12: Dee Brown #11 and Deron Williams #5 of the Illinois Fighting Illini look on during a game against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Assembly Hall on January 12, 2005 in Champaign, Illinois. Illinois defeated Penn State 90-64 during their run to the Final Four. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

1. Dee Brown (14.2 pts, 5.8 asts, 3.1 rebs)

The No. 1 player on the list of the top players in the 2000’s for the Illini is Dee Brown. I think some people are going to question this ranking, but Dee Brown brought something to this Illinois team that I have never seen before and haven’t seen since.

Brown was a five-star recruit coming out of high school, and he didn’t disappoint. He was great from the start and never let his foot off the gas the entire time.

During his freshman season, Brown averaged 12 points, 5 assists and 3.7 rebounds per game. The team ended up getting to the second round of the NCAA tournament. They also finished second in the conference that year as well.

Illinois managed to get to the Sweet 16 during Brown’s sophomore campaign. They won the Big Ten regular season that year as well. Brown ended up averaging 13.3 points, 4.5 assists and 3.7 rebounds per game.

The Illini once again won the Big Ten crown again during Brown’s junior campaign. The team went to the national title that year, and Brown averaged 13.3 points, 4.5 assists and 2.7 rebounds per game. He was great that season and was supposed to go to the NBA. But, Brown ended up getting hurt in the pre-draft workouts. He then came back for his senior season.

Once again, Brown was special averaging 14.2 points, 5.8 assists and 3.1 rebounds per game. Illinois made it to the second round of the NCAA tournament that year as well. Brown ended up getting drafted into the NBA, but his time with the Illinois program was so special.

Next: Top 5 Illini players of the 2010’s

National media dubbed Brown as the one-man fast break. He was amazing during his time in Champaign. I don’t think we will ever see someone like Brown in the Orange and Blue ever again.

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