Talkin’ Illini: Deon Thomas
Deon Thomas, ’94 LAS, Illinois basketball’s all-time leading scorer and analyst for the Fighting Illini Radio Network, talks about being a radio analyst and March Madness
Deon Thomas (Image courtesy of UI Athletics) Deon Thomas, ’94 LAS, Illinois basketball’s all-time leading scorer and analyst for the Fighting Illini Radio Network, talks about being a radio analyst and March Madness
What are you up to these days?
I’m a Big Ten Network analyst, primarily doing in-studio work, along with being an analyst for radio broadcasts on the Illini Sports Network. Away from the basketball media duties, I am director of community outreach for the UIC ENGAGE program. [ENGAGE teaches math and writing skills to youth in neighborhoods near campus.]
What do you remember about playing in March?
When I was playing, the NCAA Tournament was the part of the season when the pressure was on, and I wanted to represent the Fighting Illini with my best. The adrenaline was flowing. When the games became more difficult, I was more at ease. I liked the pressure.
