CHAMPAIGN, IL – University of Illinois' all-time men's basketball scoring leader Deon Thomas is joining the UI development team as Associate Director of Development. Thomas will primarily work out of the Illini Center in Chicago.
"The more time I have spent with Deon, the more impressed I have become with his passion for the Fighting Illini and his loyalty to this campus," said UI Director of Athletics Josh Whitman. "As our all-time leading scorer, he has immediate credibility with the Illini Family, and his engaging personality will help him forge tremendous relationships with donors, alumni, and current and former men's and women's basketball players. We are excited to once again have him on our Illini team!"
"Joining the Fighting Illini athletics department is truly an honor," Thomas said. "It's my life at the University of Illinois coming full circle. I'm so thankful to Josh Whitman and Howard Milton for envisioning this opportunity, bringing it to light and allowing me to help provide today's student-athletes with the best experiences possible while they don the Orange and Blue."
Thomas starred for the Illini from 1991-94 and continues to rank as the school's all-time leading scorer with 2,129 points. He earned All-Big Ten honors all four years as a player and was selected as a part of the University of Illinois Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2019.
"I've admired Deon's integrity and passion for the University of Illinois," said Senior Associate Director of Athletics, Development, Howard Milton. "Deon is an outstanding ambassador for not only the university, but the athletics department. I look forward to adding him as another productive member of our fundraising team."
In his new role, Thomas will cultivate and solicit Chicago area donors, communicate DIA fundraising efforts and help expand the Illini network in the Chicagoland area. He will also serve as a liaison to the Fighting Illini men's and women's basketball alumni.
Thomas has served as a radio analyst for the Fighting Illini Sports Network and as a studio analyst for the Big Ten Network the past two seasons and intends to continue in both roles.
