University of Illinois Director of Athletics Mike Thomas announced Tuesday that former Illinois basketball All-American Dee Brown has joined the UI staff as Special Assistant to the Director of Athletics following a temporary role in the position over the summer.

Brown – the 2005 Sporting News National Player of the Year and winner of the 2006 Bob Cousy Award as the nation's top point guard – begins his role in this full-time position today. Brown initially planned to work with the UI during the summer with the expectation of playing internationally this season.

"Dee has great passion for the University of Illinois and Fighting Illini athletics," Thomas said. "He did an exceptional job with us this summer and we are pleased to expand his role to full-time capacity. Dee's enthusiasm and desire to see our student-athletes and teams become the best will be a great driving force as we continue to improve across all areas as a department."

Brown will continue to build on many of the duties he began during the summer, including representing the Director of Athletics and Illinois Athletics at a variety of campus and off-campus functions and meetings, and relationship building with campus administrators and local and regional business leaders and donors. Additional aspects will include outreach efforts and fundraising. He also will assist in the recruiting process for many sports in accordance with NCAA rules and serve as a mentor for current student-athletes in all sports while developing and growing successful relationships with former Fighting Illini.

"I was blessed to play the game of basketball professionally for many years, but felt this was the right time to make the transition to a career off the court," Brown said. "I can't think of a better situation than to be able to be around my family more while working for the school I love, the University of Illinois. The opportunity this summer has only strengthened my feelings for Illinois; it's exciting to be back on campus assisting my alma mater."

A native of Maywood, Illinois, Brown was named Mr. Basketball in Illinois following his senior season at Proviso East High School, when he also was selected a McDonald's All-American. He made an immediate impact with the Illini, earning Big Ten All-Freshman Team honors while helping lead the team to 25 wins, a Big Ten Tournament title and NCAA second-round appearance. The Illini won 26 games, an outright Big Ten championship and advanced to the Sweet 16 during Brown's sophomore season.

That set the stage for a stellar junior campaign in which the Illini won 37 games to tie the then-NCAA record for most victories in a season. Illinois won a second straight outright Big Ten title, added a conference tournament crown and advanced to the Final Four following a thrilling come-from-behind victory over Arizona in the Elite Eight. The Illini went on to finish as National Runner-Up. Brown was named a consensus first-team All-American and swept Big Ten Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year accolades. His senior season concluded with consensus second-team All-America honors as the Illini won 26 games and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

Ten years later Brown remains the winningest player in Fighting Illini basketball history, playing in 114 victories during his career. His name is etched all over the UI record books, where he still ranks third all-time in scoring (1,812 career points), second in career steals (231) and 3-pointers (299) and third in career assists (674).

Brown is married to the former Delores Confer, who also attended the University of Illinois. He has four children, sons Darrian and Daniel and daughters Michele and Zoe.