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Let's continue with my countdown of my 30 favorite Illinois Fighting Illini men's basketball players of my fandom, spanning from the 1996-97 season until present day. Here are numbers 30-22.
Warning, warning: You are about to enter the Dainja Zone.
Dain Dainja is my 21st favorite Illinois men's basketball player of my 30-year fandom, similar to my 22nd entry on this list, Will Riley, an automatic bucket in a different sort of way.
While Riley could score at three levels, Dainja operated most efficiently in/around the post, a dancing bear with incredible footwork, a soft touch and a big yet nimble body whose job was to do one thing: score at will.
A mid-season transfer from Baylor during the 2021-22 season, Dainja didn't always bring all that much on defense, though his offensive game was so efficient and spectacular that I would look the other way in regards to this deficiency.
In many ways Dainja felt like a cheat code against inferior opponents. Simply get Dain the ball and let him go to work against smaller frontlines.
Dainja's offensive dominance was especially seen during the first round game against Morehead State during the 2024 NCAA Tournament. During that game, Dainja went 9-for-9 from the field en route to a season-high 21 points and 8 rebounds. Going back to the 2024 Big Ten Tournament, Dainja made a school-record 20 straight field goals, a span that included six postseason games. Dainja was especially big during the Big Ten title game against Wisconsin, scoring 9 points on 4-for-4 from the field during a season-high 22 minutes. During his last season with Illinois, Dainja shot a sizzling 68.2% from the field.
Spending two seasons in Champaign, Dainja was a truly fun player to watch when his offensive game was cooking. Personally, I have always had an affinity for wider big men who may not be able to jump all that high but just know how to use their bodies and put the ball in the bucket. One of my favorite Marquette players was a kid named Davante Gardner, who was similar to Dainja, though nowhere near the explosive and gifted scorer as the Illini forward.
Ultimately, the skilled Dainja would transfer to Memphis for his last season of college basketball, looking to be more of a focal point on offense rather than an ultimate change of pace off the bench. All in all, I was sad but not surprised to see Dainja go, as his minutes were sporadic his last season with the Illini, though he didn't pout and stepped up when Illinois needed him most in March.
While playing for the Bears and Tigers, Dainja came back to Champaign this past season, with it seeming that he considers himself an Illini first and foremost. I know Illinois fans certainly feel that way about Dainja, one of the more unique big men to suit up for the Illini.
Here are some highlights of Dainja's amazing six game stretch during the 2024 postseason, including when he made 20 straight field goals across six games from March 15th to March 28th.
Dain Dainja is my 21st favorite Illinois men's basketball player of my 30-year fandom, similar to my 22nd entry on this list, Will Riley, an automatic bucket in a different sort of way.
While Riley could score at three levels, Dainja operated most efficiently in/around the post, a dancing bear with incredible footwork, a soft touch and a big yet nimble body whose job was to do one thing: score at will.
A mid-season transfer from Baylor during the 2021-22 season, Dainja didn't always bring all that much on defense, though his offensive game was so efficient and spectacular that I would look the other way in regards to this deficiency.
In many ways Dainja felt like a cheat code against inferior opponents. Simply get Dain the ball and let him go to work against smaller frontlines.
Dainja's offensive dominance was especially seen during the first round game against Morehead State during the 2024 NCAA Tournament. During that game, Dainja went 9-for-9 from the field en route to a season-high 21 points and 8 rebounds. Going back to the 2024 Big Ten Tournament, Dainja made a school-record 20 straight field goals, a span that included six postseason games. Dainja was especially big during the Big Ten title game against Wisconsin, scoring 9 points on 4-for-4 from the field during a season-high 22 minutes. During his last season with Illinois, Dainja shot a sizzling 68.2% from the field.
Spending two seasons in Champaign, Dainja was a truly fun player to watch when his offensive game was cooking. Personally, I have always had an affinity for wider big men who may not be able to jump all that high but just know how to use their bodies and put the ball in the bucket. One of my favorite Marquette players was a kid named Davante Gardner, who was similar to Dainja, though nowhere near the explosive and gifted scorer as the Illini forward.
Ultimately, the skilled Dainja would transfer to Memphis for his last season of college basketball, looking to be more of a focal point on offense rather than an ultimate change of pace off the bench. All in all, I was sad but not surprised to see Dainja go, as his minutes were sporadic his last season with the Illini, though he didn't pout and stepped up when Illinois needed him most in March.
While playing for the Bears and Tigers, Dainja came back to Champaign this past season, with it seeming that he considers himself an Illini first and foremost. I know Illinois fans certainly feel that way about Dainja, one of the more unique big men to suit up for the Illini.
Here are some highlights of Dainja's amazing six game stretch during the 2024 postseason, including when he made 20 straight field goals across six games from March 15th to March 28th.
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