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Illinois Basketball: Top 5 Illini shooting guards of the 2010s

By Rees Woodcock

AUSTIN, TX - MARCH 22: Brandon Paul #3 of the Illinois Fighting Illini celebrates during the game against the Colorado Buffaloes during the second round of the 2013 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at The Frank Erwin Center on March 22, 2013 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)
AUSTIN, TX - MARCH 22: Brandon Paul #3 of the Illinois Fighting Illini celebrates during the game against the Colorado Buffaloes during the second round of the 2013 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at The Frank Erwin Center on March 22, 2013 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images) /
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INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – MARCH 19: Trent Frazier #1 of the Illinois Fighting Illini slaps the court against the Drexel Dragons in the second half of the first round game of the 2021 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Indiana Farmers Coliseum on March 19, 2021 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – MARCH 19: Trent Frazier #1 of the Illinois Fighting Illini slaps the court against the Drexel Dragons in the second half of the first round game of the 2021 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Indiana Farmers Coliseum on March 19, 2021 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /

4. Trent Frazier

A lot of people were angry that I didn’t have Trent Frazier on the top five point guards of the 2010s. Well, I don’t see Frazier as a point guard. I see him as more of a No. 2 guard than a No. 1 guard. That is why I have him on the list of the top shooting guards of the 2010s.

Frazier has been a fan favorite since committing to Illinois. He has been a personal favorite player during the past four years as well. He committed to Illinois and stayed with his commitment even during a coaching change. This kid bleeds Orange and Blue through and through.

A big reason Frazier dons the top five shooting guards of the 2010s list is that he has been extremely consistent throughout his career. He has career averages of 11.4 points, 2.6 assists, 2.3 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game. His four-year three-point shooting average is 35.8-percent, which he improved on this past season shooting 36.2-percent from deep.

Frazier has always been a great go-to option when Illinois needed a bucket as well. He can score from anywhere on the court. But I think his defense is what helps set him apart from other Illinois basketball players. He is a great defensive stopper against opposing guards, which is a reason why the Illini were able to get to the No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament this past season.

The scoring element with Frazier is solid, but his defense is what gets him on this list. He is the best two-way player I have seen in years. Thankfully, we get him back for one more season.

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