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Illinois Basketball: Illini’s 2010s first-string All-Decade Team

By Rees Woodcock

CHAMPAIGN, IL - JANUARY 05: An Illinois Fighting Illini cheerleader performs during a break int he action in the Big Ten Conference college basketball game between the Purdue Boilermakers and the Illinois Fighting Illini on January 5, 2020, at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
CHAMPAIGN, IL - JANUARY 05: An Illinois Fighting Illini cheerleader performs during a break int he action in the Big Ten Conference college basketball game between the Purdue Boilermakers and the Illinois Fighting Illini on January 5, 2020, at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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Brandon Paul (3) of Illinois celebrates with teammates after hitting the game-winning shot against Minnesota in their first-round game in the Big Ten Tournament on Thursday, March 14, 2013, in Chicago, Illinois. (Jose M. Osorio/Chicago Tribune/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)
Brandon Paul (3) of Illinois celebrates with teammates after hitting the game-winning shot against Minnesota in their first-round game in the Big Ten Tournament on Thursday, March 14, 2013, in Chicago, Illinois. (Jose M. Osorio/Chicago Tribune/Tribune News Service via Getty Images) /

No. 2 Guard – Brandon Paul

When you ask me who the most exciting players were this past decade, there are a few players who come to mind. I think Brandon Paul would be one player who would come to everyone’s mind.

Pretty much all of Paul’s career was spent in the 2010s. He was a young local kid coming into Champaign in hopes of bringing this program back to life after a few years of up and down play. Paul didn’t disappoint by any means.

Paul averaged 12 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.1 steals per game during his career with the Illini. His best season came during his final year in Champaign where he averaged 16.6 points, 4.4 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.2 steals per contest.

Illinois had some good runs when Paul was in town. He and Demetri McCamey had that run to the second round of the NCAA tournament where they fell to No. 1 Kansas. He then helped Illinois back the postseason during his senior season and fell in the second round to No. 2 Miami.

There were so many memorable moments with Paul. His overall play will never be forgotten, but neither will his 43 points in an upset win over Ohio State or his last-second shots. This kid was incredible and goes down as the starting No. 2 guard on the All-Decade Team.

After his time with the Illini, Paul has tried to stick in the NBA to no avail. He is having a solid professional career, though. He has spent time with the San Antonio Spurs, in the G-League and with various teams overseas.

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