Just last week, former Illinois defensive back Devon Witherspoon inked a four-year, $132 million extension, making him the highest-paid cornerback in NFL history.
Witherspoon has come a long way from representing the Orange and Blue at Memorial Stadium, and is obviously cashing in the big bucks at the next level.
But he’s not the only former Illini who has gotten paid in the pros.
With that being said, let’s switch lanes to the hardwood.
Here are the three highest-earning former Illinois players in the NBA:
MEYERS LEONARD – $60,150,630
One of the best big men in recent memory for Illinois, Meyers Leonard went on to build a pretty solid NBA career and make some good money.
After getting drafted 11th overall in the 2012 NBA Draft, Leonard spent 11 seasons in the league with the Portland Trailblazers, Miami Heat and Milwaukee Bucks.
His career earnings from NBA contracts came in at just over $60 million, the bulk of which came from a four-year, $41 million deal he signed after his rookie contract was up with the Blazers.
AYO DOSUNMU – $135,488,776
The man who gets a lot of the credit for helping turn Illinois basketball around comes in at No. 2 on this list, the one and only Ayo Dosunmu.
During his time as an Illini, Dosunmu averaged 16.7 points, 4.8 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game and was a First-Team All-American.
Yet, he slipped to the second round of the NBA Draft and landed with the Chicago Bulls, where he spent the first four and a half seasons of his career before getting dealt to the Minnesota Timberwolves at last year’s trade deadline.
Just this past offseason, Dosunmu signed a monster deal to stay in Minnesota, good for five years and a fully guaranteed $112 million. By the end of that deal in 2031, he’ll have made over $135 million in the NBA and still be just 31 years old.
DERON WILLIAMS – $159,486,361
One of the faces of the Illini’s national runner-up team in 2005 — and one of the best players in program history — Deron Williams comes in with the most career earnings of all former Illinois hoopers.
After a historic college career, Williams was selected 3rd overall in the 2005 NBA Draft by the Utah Jazz. During his 14-year career, he also played for the New Jersey/Brooklyn Nets, Dallas Mavericks and Cleveland Cavaliers.
D-Will was a three-time All-Star and two-time All-NBA guard, received MVP votes in several seasons and was consistently one of the premier bucket-getters in the NBA.
He made just under $160 million in his professional career, a worthy reflection of what an impressive player he was.
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