The NBA is in full swing, and that means the Illinois basketball team could have quite a few players also suiting up in the G-League.
Over the years, many Illini players have suited up in the NBA development league. The G-League has built a brand of basketball that is sustainable with good salaries and even better play.
This season, there are some great Illinois players who are just looking for a shot in the NBA. They will have to climb the ladder and make it through the G-League, though. First, they have to make the G-League team.
Here is a list of the Illinois basketball players on NBA G-League training camp rosters
- Quincy Guerrier – Raptors 905 (Toronto Raptors)
After finishing his final season at Illinois, Quincy Guerrier has tried to stick in the NBA ranks for the last couple of seasons.
Guerrier played in 12 games and started in seven contests last season for Raptors 905, the G-League affiliate for the Toronto Raptors. He averaged 13.8 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per game in those contests.
- Malcolm Hill – Delaware Blue Coats (Philadelphia 76ers)
The path since being at Illinois hasn’t been easy for Malcolm Hill. He has had a mixture of overseas play and landing with a couple of different NBA teams over the past half-decade.
The now-30-year-old is trying to latch on with the Delaware Blue Coats. They are the G-League affiliate for the Philadelphia 76ers.
- Giorgi Bezhanishvili – Windy City Bulls (Chicago Bulls)
Another fan favorite while at Illinois, Giorgi Bezhanishvili, is still trying to make his way in the NBA. He has been with multiple G-League franchises, and last season, he was playing overseas.
Giorgi continues this push for an NBA career with the Windy City Bulls, the G-League affiliate for the Chicago Bulls.
- Justin Harmon – Salt Lake City Stars (Utah Jazz)
Illinois had Justin Harmon for one season a couple of years ago. He has been trying to stick in the G-League since then, playing 11 games last season for the Salt Lake City Stars. They are the G-League affiliate for the Utah Jazz. Harmon will once again run with this franchise in 2025-26.
- Coleman Hawkins – Grand Rapids Gold (Denver Nuggets)
While Coleman Hawkins didn’t finish with Illinois, he is still someone fans will notice on the court. He didn’t get drafted last season but spent some time with the Golden State Warriors.
Hawkins will try to make the Grand Rapids Gold roster in 2025-26. They are the G-League affiliate of the Denver Nuggets.
- RJ Melendez – Mexico City Capitanes
Lastly, a name that caught my eye was RJ Melendez. He spent a couple of seasons at Illinois before transferring to Georgia. He is trying to make the Mexico City Capitanes roster. They aren’t an affiliate, but they are the G-League’s presence in Mexico.