Deron Williams will play for his first NBA Finals championship starting Thursday, when “Cleveland vs. Golden State: Part III,” tips off in Oakland. That’s exclusive Illinois company for the 12-year NBA veteran. Here are all the Finals former Illini have played in:
1955 1956
Syracuse Nationals vs. Fort Wayne Pistons
Former Illini John Kerr started (and averaged a double-double) and Wally Osterkorn came off the bench in Syracuse’s seven-game series victory against Fort Wayne and fellow former Illini Andy Phillip.
Fort Wayne Pistons vs. Philadelphia Warriors
Phillip played sparingly in the Pistons’ return trip to the Finals, but the result was nearly the same.