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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 30-2.
- #30 Morez Johnson Jr.
- #29 Marcus Arnold.
- #28 Matthew Mayer.
- #27 Kevin Turner.
- #26 Mike Davis.
- #25 Trent Frazier.
- #24 D.J. Richardson.
- #23 Tyler Griffey.
- #22 Will Riley.
- #21 Dain Dainja.
- #20 Jack Ingram.
- #19 Marcus Domask.
- #18 Tomislav Ivisic.
- #17 Robert Archibald.
- #16 Brandon Paul.
- #15 Frankie Williams.
- #14 Marcus Griffin.
- #13 Sergio McClain.
- #12 Alfonso Plummer.
- #11 Lucas Johnson.
- #10 David Mirkovic.
- #9 Damir Krupalija.
- #8 Terrence Shannon Jr.
- #7 Keaton Wagler.
- #6 James Augustine.
- #5 Cory Bradford.
- #4 Luther Head.
- #3 Dee Brown.
- #2 Deron Williams.
One thing I have always loved about college basketball is how the sport has the room for the tweener, those in-between players who don't quite have a position but somehow make it work with skill and intelligence.
As a player myself, I was a bit of a tweener, not the most athetic guy but someone who had to learn how play the one through the four, to do the little things that make a difference, to be a glue guy.
With this in mind, it should be no surprise that Roger Powell Jr. is my favorite Illinois basketball player of my 30-year fandom.
Never a go-to guy on any of the four Illinois teams he played for, Powell was the ultimate tweener and glue guy, a 6'6'' forward who shifted from the three to the four spot by the time his Illini career ended.
From the first time I ever saw Powell play for the Illini, I knew I was going to like this kid the next four years.
It was early January 2002, and Powell was a freshman buried on a deep and experienced Illinois team. During a raucous road game at Wisconsin, the Illini's first against Bo Ryan, whom I instantly disliked after watching his theatrics on the sideline, Powell was inserted late in the first half to steal some minutes.
Immediately, Powell came up with an offensive board, where he was surrounded by several bigger Badgers. Somehow, someway, Powell manuevered himself to put up a twisting, acrobatic layup that went off the glass and down the hoop.
While Illinois would get upset at Wisconsin that afternoon, Powell had left an impression in my mind: This kid had some ability.
Dealing with some injuries at the start of his sophomore season, Powell seemed like he couldn't get his Illini career going. In fact, I remember playing some pickup basketball at IMPE, with one of my friends dropping this question:
"Are we sure Roger Powell is even good?"
"Hell yeah, he is good," I responded, basing my knowledge off the one play I had seen Powell make against Wisconsin.
Eventually, Powell got healthy and slid into the three position with the 2002-03 Illini starting senior Brian Cook and freshman James Augustine at power forward and center.
Powell especially stood out to me as Illinois won the Big Ten Tournament championship game, showcasing an ability to drive from the wing to the hoop, finish at the rim and even keep the defense honest with his shooting ability. What I always loved about Powell was that he didn't need a lot of touches to score; in fact, he is one of the most efficient Illini players I have ever watched.
As a junior, Powell actually came off the bench early in the season as Bruce Weber tried to start Nick Smith and Augustine together. Eventually, Powell was inserted as an undersized four, and Illinois began to take off late in the season. Following an incredible second-round performance from Deron Williams against Cincinnati, Powell kept Illinois alive during a Sweet Sixteen loss to Duke.
As I watched this game back home in Chicago during spring break, my Dad paid Powell the ultimate compliment as the junior forward kept scoring against Duke with his mid-range, face-up jumper.
"Man you were right, Chris," my Dad said. "This Powell kid is really good."
I had been championing Powell's abilities to anyone I could for the past three seasons, and people were starting to see the light.
After testing the NBA Draft waters following his junior season, Powell ultimately returned to Illinois for his final campaign, teaming up with Augustine to do the dirty work down low as the Illini perimeter of Williams, Dee Brown and Luther Head got a lot of the shine.
Like he always did, Powell just fit in on that team, scoring when providing the opportunity, rebounding and playing sound defense. While occasionally forgotten in the Illinois offense, Powell never complained and continued to be an efficient player. At this point Powell had discovered his faith, going by the nickname "The Reverend" and playing with a higher purpose than individual statistics.
Now, of course, when involved in the offense, Powell would produce.
There was no greater moment for me as a Powell fan than during the 2005 Final Four against Louisville. With the Cardinals giving Illinois a tough game, Powell absolutely took over in the early minutes of the second half, hitting a three and then following up a missed three from the top of the key with a two-hand slam.
Without the heroics of Powell, who scored 20 points on 9-for-13 from the field, Illinois likely does not get past Louisville.
Sadly, with Augustine mired in questionable foul trouble during the National Championship Game against North Carolina, the undersized Powell had to guard Tar Heels' bowling ball Sean May, who proved to be the difference against Illinois. Of course, Sports Illustrated commemorated UNC's title with a front cover showing May running through Powell, the story of the night for the Illini.
While the 2004-05 Illini fell one game short, I was certain that Williams, Head and Powell would be rewarded with selections in the 2005 NBA Draft.
While Williams and Head would go in the first round, Powell would go undrafted, much to my disappointment. To me Powell was a classic second-round sleeper, a guy who could play in the NBA.
Ultimately, Powell would do just that, signing as an undrafted free agent with the Utah Jazz, teaming up with Williams for a brief stay of just three games.
A couple of years later, when Derrick Rose was a rookie on the Bulls, Powell was on Chicago's preseason roster. In fact, the Bulls had just played Williams and the Jazz the prior night at the Assembly Hall in Champaign when Powell was inserted late into the next night's game back at the United Center.
In typical Powell fashion, "The Reverend" produced immediately, hitting a three and getting fouled for a four-point play.
Ultimately, Powell would spend some time with the Rockford Lightning, where he played with Chicago high school legend Ronnie Fields, and eventually get into coaching. After being an assistant at Vanderbilt and Gonzaga, including on the team's 2021 runner-up team, Powell has been the Head Coach at Valparaiso. Powell will be entering his fourth season with the Crusaders, a program I hope he can get to an NCAA Tournament.
As Illinois made the Final Four this past tournament, it was great to see Powell on local newscasts, talking about the current Illini squad and reliving the glory days of the 2004-05 team. Powell has always come off as a class act and a great ambassador for Illinois basketball.
In a pickup game, Roger Powell Jr. might not have been the first or even second guy selected. However, smart people would know that Powell should be picked shortly thereafter, as he was the do-it-all guy who was happy to play his role to perfection.
For once, Roger Powell Jr. is going number one, as my favorite Illini basketball player of my 30-year fandom.
Powell was certainly not the greatest or most talented Illini of all those years; however, he was just an intelligent, highly efficient, productive player who impacted winning in so many ways and always made a positive impact on the court.
In my book, it means a lot to be a glue guy, someone who doesn't have a big ego and does whatever it takes to win. To me, Powell is the greatest glue guy I have seen in an Illinois uniform, an enjoyable and relatable player, an overachiever who was much more talented than people realized or gave him credit for!
As a player myself, I was a bit of a tweener, not the most athetic guy but someone who had to learn how play the one through the four, to do the little things that make a difference, to be a glue guy.
With this in mind, it should be no surprise that Roger Powell Jr. is my favorite Illinois basketball player of my 30-year fandom.
Never a go-to guy on any of the four Illinois teams he played for, Powell was the ultimate tweener and glue guy, a 6'6'' forward who shifted from the three to the four spot by the time his Illini career ended.
From the first time I ever saw Powell play for the Illini, I knew I was going to like this kid the next four years.
It was early January 2002, and Powell was a freshman buried on a deep and experienced Illinois team. During a raucous road game at Wisconsin, the Illini's first against Bo Ryan, whom I instantly disliked after watching his theatrics on the sideline, Powell was inserted late in the first half to steal some minutes.
Immediately, Powell came up with an offensive board, where he was surrounded by several bigger Badgers. Somehow, someway, Powell manuevered himself to put up a twisting, acrobatic layup that went off the glass and down the hoop.
While Illinois would get upset at Wisconsin that afternoon, Powell had left an impression in my mind: This kid had some ability.
Dealing with some injuries at the start of his sophomore season, Powell seemed like he couldn't get his Illini career going. In fact, I remember playing some pickup basketball at IMPE, with one of my friends dropping this question:
"Are we sure Roger Powell is even good?"
"Hell yeah, he is good," I responded, basing my knowledge off the one play I had seen Powell make against Wisconsin.
Eventually, Powell got healthy and slid into the three position with the 2002-03 Illini starting senior Brian Cook and freshman James Augustine at power forward and center.
Powell especially stood out to me as Illinois won the Big Ten Tournament championship game, showcasing an ability to drive from the wing to the hoop, finish at the rim and even keep the defense honest with his shooting ability. What I always loved about Powell was that he didn't need a lot of touches to score; in fact, he is one of the most efficient Illini players I have ever watched.
As a junior, Powell actually came off the bench early in the season as Bruce Weber tried to start Nick Smith and Augustine together. Eventually, Powell was inserted as an undersized four, and Illinois began to take off late in the season. Following an incredible second-round performance from Deron Williams against Cincinnati, Powell kept Illinois alive during a Sweet Sixteen loss to Duke.
As I watched this game back home in Chicago during spring break, my Dad paid Powell the ultimate compliment as the junior forward kept scoring against Duke with his mid-range, face-up jumper.
"Man you were right, Chris," my Dad said. "This Powell kid is really good."
I had been championing Powell's abilities to anyone I could for the past three seasons, and people were starting to see the light.
After testing the NBA Draft waters following his junior season, Powell ultimately returned to Illinois for his final campaign, teaming up with Augustine to do the dirty work down low as the Illini perimeter of Williams, Dee Brown and Luther Head got a lot of the shine.
Like he always did, Powell just fit in on that team, scoring when providing the opportunity, rebounding and playing sound defense. While occasionally forgotten in the Illinois offense, Powell never complained and continued to be an efficient player. At this point Powell had discovered his faith, going by the nickname "The Reverend" and playing with a higher purpose than individual statistics.
Now, of course, when involved in the offense, Powell would produce.
There was no greater moment for me as a Powell fan than during the 2005 Final Four against Louisville. With the Cardinals giving Illinois a tough game, Powell absolutely took over in the early minutes of the second half, hitting a three and then following up a missed three from the top of the key with a two-hand slam.
Without the heroics of Powell, who scored 20 points on 9-for-13 from the field, Illinois likely does not get past Louisville.
Sadly, with Augustine mired in questionable foul trouble during the National Championship Game against North Carolina, the undersized Powell had to guard Tar Heels' bowling ball Sean May, who proved to be the difference against Illinois. Of course, Sports Illustrated commemorated UNC's title with a front cover showing May running through Powell, the story of the night for the Illini.
While the 2004-05 Illini fell one game short, I was certain that Williams, Head and Powell would be rewarded with selections in the 2005 NBA Draft.
While Williams and Head would go in the first round, Powell would go undrafted, much to my disappointment. To me Powell was a classic second-round sleeper, a guy who could play in the NBA.
Ultimately, Powell would do just that, signing as an undrafted free agent with the Utah Jazz, teaming up with Williams for a brief stay of just three games.
A couple of years later, when Derrick Rose was a rookie on the Bulls, Powell was on Chicago's preseason roster. In fact, the Bulls had just played Williams and the Jazz the prior night at the Assembly Hall in Champaign when Powell was inserted late into the next night's game back at the United Center.
In typical Powell fashion, "The Reverend" produced immediately, hitting a three and getting fouled for a four-point play.
Ultimately, Powell would spend some time with the Rockford Lightning, where he played with Chicago high school legend Ronnie Fields, and eventually get into coaching. After being an assistant at Vanderbilt and Gonzaga, including on the team's 2021 runner-up team, Powell has been the Head Coach at Valparaiso. Powell will be entering his fourth season with the Crusaders, a program I hope he can get to an NCAA Tournament.
As Illinois made the Final Four this past tournament, it was great to see Powell on local newscasts, talking about the current Illini squad and reliving the glory days of the 2004-05 team. Powell has always come off as a class act and a great ambassador for Illinois basketball.
In a pickup game, Roger Powell Jr. might not have been the first or even second guy selected. However, smart people would know that Powell should be picked shortly thereafter, as he was the do-it-all guy who was happy to play his role to perfection.
For once, Roger Powell Jr. is going number one, as my favorite Illini basketball player of my 30-year fandom.
Powell was certainly not the greatest or most talented Illini of all those years; however, he was just an intelligent, highly efficient, productive player who impacted winning in so many ways and always made a positive impact on the court.
In my book, it means a lot to be a glue guy, someone who doesn't have a big ego and does whatever it takes to win. To me, Powell is the greatest glue guy I have seen in an Illinois uniform, an enjoyable and relatable player, an overachiever who was much more talented than people realized or gave him credit for!
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