As one Brandon Paul (pictured above. Yes I know that you know that, but I have to do this other wise some meathead will comment that’s not Darius Paul, that’s Brandon Paul) leaves the Illini, his younger brother Darius Paul joins the Illini. Brandon Paul graduates and heads for the NBA Combine while Darius Paul comes to Champaign.
Darius Paul left the Western Michigan University men’s basketball program as Mid-American Conference Freshman of the Year. Which is fitting, the Illini got both their college football coach and their college basketball coach from the MAC.
The 6-foot-8, 220-pound forward from Gurnee, Ill., led all MAC freshmen in scoring and rebounding throughout the season and finished with 10.4 points and 5.7 rebounds per game. As you obviously know, the Illini need help in the front line. Especially at the four.
Darius Paul announced via Twitter:
It’s a privilege to be put in this situation I’ve been put in..will be wearing orange & blue for the rest of my college career #Illini
— Darius Paul (@D_Raw35) May 5, 2013
Darius Paul started 33 of 35 games for the Broncos, who finished 22-13, won the MAC West Division title and advanced to the semifinals in both the MAC Tournament and College Basketball Invitational.
Darius Paul is the third transfer Illinois has received since the end of the season. Illinois State junior forward Jon Ekey and Seton Hall sophomore guard Aaron Cosby also recently opted for the Illini.
Illinois has received five transfers since coach John Groce took over the program prior to last season. Rayvonte Rice (Drake) and Sam McLaurin (Coastal Carolina) joined the team before the season.
The Illini 2013 recruiting class is also ranked No. 18
Paul M. Banks is the owner of The Sports Bank.net. He’s also an author who also contributes regularly to MSN, Fox Sports , Chicago Now, Walter Football.com and Yardbarker
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