Illinois Basketball: Top 3 Illini small forwards of all-time

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CHAMPAIGN, IL – FEBRUARY 23: Roger Powell Jr. #43 of the Illinois Fighting Illini goes up for a dunk during a game against the Northwestern Wildcats at Assembly Hall on February 23, 2005 in Champaign, Illinois. Illinois defeated Northwestern 84-48 during their run to the Final Four. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

No. 3 Roger Powell

Roger Powell spent four seasons in an Illinois basketball jersey. Powell was a player who could play both the small forward and power forward position. In my eyes, he is a small forward. Powell put up above-average stats. He was also on very successful teams for most of his collegiate career.

For his career, Powell averaged 9.2 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 0.3 blocks per game. He shot 57-percent from the field and 39-percent from three-point range. He also had a true shooting percentage of 61-percent.

Powell’s best season came during his senior year. That season he averaged 12 points, 5.7 rebounds, 0.2 blocks, and 0.6 steals per game. He shot 54-percent from the field and 38-percent from three-point range.

The accomplishments were plentiful during Powell’s Illini career. He made the All-Big Ten Tournament team, and he has also won a Big Ten championship. Powell made the NCAA tournament three times and, in those three tournaments runs, he made it to the NCAA championship game during his senior year. Powell ranks No. 5 in all-time in Illini field goal percentage and No. 8 in all-time three-point percentage.

Powell may not have the best stats, but I think his list of accomplishments makes up for that. His accomplishments and consistency were the reason he made this list.

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