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Illinois Basketball: Top 5 Illini players to ever wear the No. 3

By Rees Woodcock

Feb 22, 2009; Columbus, OH, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Chester Frazier (3) signals for a 1 and 1 foul against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Value City Arena. The Illini beat the Buckeyes 70-68. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 22, 2009; Columbus, OH, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Chester Frazier (3) signals for a 1 and 1 foul against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Value City Arena. The Illini beat the Buckeyes 70-68. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 8, 2022; West Lafayette, Indiana, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Jacob Grandison (3) controls the ball against Purdue Boilermakers forward Mason Gillis (0) during the first half at Mackey Arena. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 8, 2022; West Lafayette, Indiana, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Jacob Grandison (3) controls the ball against Purdue Boilermakers forward Mason Gillis (0) during the first half at Mackey Arena. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Jacob Grandison

  • Best: 9.6 pts, 3.8 rebs, 2.3 asts
  • Career: 7.1 pts, 3.6 rebs, 1.8 asts
  • 2 NCAAs (both 2nd round), 1 B1G Tourney, 1 B1G Regular Season

I believe there is a clear-cut No. 2 on the top five Illini players to ever wear the No. 3. The player I am thinking of for this spot is Jacob Grandison.

Grandison had a good two years with Holy Cross and then decided to take his talents to a bigger stage. He picked Illinois and would eventually get a chance to suit up for the program in 2020-21.

The best season Grandison had in an Illinois jersey was this past season when he averaged 9.6 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game. He also hit 41% from three-point range. Grandison’s career averages consist of 7.1 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per contest.

Illinois played well during the two seasons Grandison was in town. Each year, we made the NCAA tournament and advanced to the second round. Illinois won the 2021 Big Ten Tournament, and then we followed that up with a Big Ten regular-season crown this past season.

Grandison decided to enter the NBA Draft but would pull his name out and enter the transfer portal. He is now with the Duke Blue Devils to finish up his final year of college.

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