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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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CHAMPAIGN, IL – JANUARY 05: Brandon Paul #3 of the Illinois Fighting Illini dribbles the ball against Lenzelle Smith, Jr. #32 of the Ohio State Buckeyes at Assembly Hall on January 5, 2013 in Champaign, Illinois. Ilinois defeated Ohio State 74-55. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
CHAMPAIGN, IL – JANUARY 05: Brandon Paul #3 of the Illinois Fighting Illini dribbles the ball against Lenzelle Smith, Jr. #32 of the Ohio State Buckeyes at Assembly Hall on January 5, 2013 in Champaign, Illinois. Ilinois defeated Ohio State 74-55. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /

2. Brandon Paul

You can’t leave one of the most clutch Illinois basketball players in program history off of the top shooting guards of the 2010s. Brandon Paul was extremely fun to watch and was a player who should have seen the postseason more during his career.

Paul’s time at Illinois got off to a slow start, as he averaged under 10 points per game in his first two years with the program. But by his junior season, Paul was putting up some big numbers. He averaged 14.7 points, 4.7 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.4 steals per game as a junior.

Entering his senior year and under a new head coach, Paul needed to be a leader on the Illinois basketball team. He needed to be the guy. Paul took that responsibility and ran with it. He ended up averaging 16.6 points, 4.4 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.2 steals per game in his final year with the program.

There were some special moments Paul delivered to Illini fans. He had a buzzer-beater to beat Minnesota in the Big Ten Tournament. He also put up an incredible 43 points in an upset win over No. 5 Ohio State.

Illinois would end up making the NCAA tournament two times in the four years Paul was in Champaign. The team would advance to the second round in both appearances as well.

Paul was a special player for the program and goes down as the No. 2 shooting guard of the 2010s. He was a special player who will always be remembered.

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