Illinois basketball: Illini fans are getting to see two different eras collide in the NBA

If you are an Illinois basketball fan, you have been enjoying the NBA this season, particularly over the past few days.

The 2021 NBA Draft took place on July 29, and in this draft, former Illini guard Ayo Dosunmu was selected by the Chicago Bulls with pick No. 38. This was the first time an Illinois player had been picked in the NBA Draft since Meyers Leonard was selected in 2012 with pick No. 11.

Chicago made the right pick with what I believe was their only selection in the draft this past summer. Ayo had played some solid basketball in his hometown, and as time goes on, the former Morgan Park star continues to improve.

In 28 games this season, Ayo is averaging 6.4 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 1.1 assists per game while shooting 53.6% from the field and 40% from three-point range. He isn’t just a spare player who only gets single-digit minutes for the Bulls anymore either. Ayo has received at least 20 minutes in the past six games, and he played 42 minutes in a win over Denver just a few weeks back.

I didn’t even mention that in this stretch of Ayo playing at least 20 minutes, the Bulls have a record of 5-1 with their only loss coming to a surging Cleveland Cavaliers bunch. The kid is a pure winner.

Illinois basketball fans are getting to see two different eras collide in the NBA.

It is great seeing Ayo doing well in the NBA. Something tells me he is going to continue being a big part of the Chicago Bulls franchise for years to come.

But Ayo isn’t the only former Illini trying to make a name for himself in The Association. With COVID-19 running rampant, the Atlanta Hawks were able to use a 10-day hardship exception and sign former Illinois wing, Malcolm Hill.

Hill’s first game with the Hawks was against the New York Knicks back on December 25. He only played two minutes, but this was the first NBA action for the former Illini great.

It was great to see Hill get some time on the court, but who did the Hawks play against in the following two games? The Chicago Bulls, of course.

This couldn’t have worked out better for Illinois basketball fans. Two former Illini players in Ayo and Hill matched up on December 27 and 29 with the Bulls taking both games.

Ayo and Hill faced off against each other, and they both performed well. In the two games, Hill averaged 8.5 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 2.0 steals while shooting 62.5% from the field and 60% from three-point range. Ayo would finish with averages of 11.0 points, 1.5 assists, 1.5 blocks, and 1.0 rebounds per game while shooting 10-of-13 from the field and 1-of-3 from three-point range.

Soak it up Illini fans because I am not sure how many more times over the coming years we will get to see this again. It was fun watching Ayo and Hill out there on the court together in the NBA. This is something that has been rare to see.