April 6, 2009

Champaign, Ill. - Fighting Illini signee Brandon Paul has been named Illinois' Mr. Basketball for 2009. Presented by the Chicago Tribune and Illinois Basketball Coaches Association, Mr. Basketball is voted on by coaches and media across the state. The honor caps a stellar season for Paul, a 6-3 guard from Warren High School in Gurnee. He averaged 19.8 points, 7.3 rebounds and 3.0 steals as a senior, leading Warren to a 23-6 record. He was at his best in the state tournament, averaging 27 points and 9.8 rebounds over four games, helping Warren advance to the IHSA Class 4A sectional finals. Paul was a first-team All-State selection by the Associated Press, Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times, Champaign-Urbana News-Gazette and Illinois Basketball Coaches Association

Paul is the 10th Fighting Illini to be named Illinois Mr. Basketball:

1982 Bruce Douglas, Quincy
1986 Nick Anderson, Chicago Simeon
1987 Marcus Liberty, Chicago King
1989 Deon Thomas, Chicago Simeon
1994 Jerry Gee, St. Martin de Porres
1997 Sergio McClain, Peoria Manual
1998 Frank Williams, Peoria Manual
1999 Brian Cook, Lincoln
2002 Dee Brown, Proviso East
2009 Brandon Paul, Warren