Last Updated on April 21, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

Looking for a complete list of Illinois NBA players? The Illinois Fighting Illini program has produced high-level talent across multiple eras, with many Illinois basketball NBA alumni making strong impacts in the league. From legendary guards like Isiah Thomas to modern contributors such as Ayo Dosunmu and Meyers Leonard, the presence of Fighting Illini in the NBA continues to remain strong.

This is a comprehensive list of players who played for Illinois and appeared in at least one NBA regular-season game.

Full List of Illinois Fighting Illini NBA Players

  • Red Kerr
  • Don Ohl
  • Dave Downey
  • Nick Weatherspoon
  • Eddie Johnson
  • Derek Harper
  • Kendall Gill
  • Nick Anderson
  • Stephen Bardo
  • Kenny Battle
  • Deon Thomas
  • Brian Cook
  • Deron Williams
  • Dee Brown
  • Luther Head
  • James Augustine
  • Shaun Livingston
  • Meyers Leonard
  • Brandon Paul
  • Malcolm Hill
  • Ayo Dosunmu
  • Kofi Cockburn (no NBA regular-season games as of now)
  • Terrence Shannon Jr.

Notable Illinois Fighting Illini in the NBA

  • Deron Williams – All-NBA point guard and Olympic gold medalist
  • Shaun Livingston – Key contributor to multiple championship teams
  • Nick Anderson – Foundational player for the Orlando Magic
  • Kendall Gill – Versatile scorer and defender
  • Ayo Dosunmu – Emerging modern NBA guard