Illinois Basketball: Top 3 Illini power forwards of all-time
By Jalen Wilson
No. 1 Brian Cook
There have been a ton of legends who have donned the Orange and Blue, but one of the most underrated players to come through the program is Brian Cook. He was everything you wanted in a basketball player and more.
Cook’s career averages consisted of 13.2 points, 6.2 rebounds and 1 block per game. His shooting splits consisted of 51-percent from the field and 33-percent from three-point range. He also had a true shooting percentage of 59-percent.
The best season Cook had came during his senior year. That season, he averaged 20 points, 7.6 rebounds and 0.4 blocks per game. He shot 47-percent from the field and 30-percent from three-point range for the season.
Cook has a long list of accomplishments. He was named to the All-Big Ten Tournament team twice, and he was selected to the All-Big Ten second-team twice. The accolades don’t stop there, though.
In addition to the All-Big Ten accomplishments, Cook was also a Co-Big Ten Freshman of the Year and Big Ten Conference Player of the Year. Not to mention, he was named to the All-Big Ten first-team once. Cook also made the NCAA tournament four times. The furthest he went was to the Elite 8.
Cook is on multiple all-time statistical lists. He is No. 5 in all-time points for an Illini player. He is No. 7 in all-time blocks and No. 4 in total field goals made in Illini history. He is No. 8 in total rebounds as well.
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In my opinion, the power forward position is the most stacked position is Illinois basketball history. Determining the best of the best was tough, though. But Efrem Winters, Deon Thomas and Brian Cook are my top three power forwards in the history of the program.