I don’t think I’ve ever seen a group of starting players off one team all make an NBA roster; the closest was the 1989 Michigan team.
Right now Deron Williams, Dee Brown and Roger Powell all play for the Utah Jazz; Luther Head is a Houston Rocket; and big man James Augustine will play for the Orlando Magic this season.
This group will not only go down as one of the all time great Illini teams, but one of the best teams to ever play college basketball. Sure, making the Final Four was the ultimate goal but the one game that people nationally still talk about today is the great come-from- behind win over Pac Ten powerhouse, Arizona. The Illini beat the Wildcats 90-89 in Chicago with Williams leading the way with 22 points and Head finishing with 20 for the night.
Weber has been receiving praise for how well his Illini play at the NBA level. Jazz Coach Jerry Sloan once said, “They play hard; they understand the game; and they have been well coached.”
Every player that ever suits up has that dream of one day playing in the NBA. All five of that special group will get to do that. It’s easy to live for today, but never will this group be forgotten.
Also another Illini had great news from a finical standpoint Brian Cook just agreed on a three-year $10.5 million contract extension before last nights game with the Phoenix Suns.