• Deron set an Illinois single-season record for assists in his junior year.
• Deron was the first Big Ten player to lead the conference in assists in his first three seasons.
• Deron was picked higher in the draft than any player in Illinois history.
• In 2005-06, Deron received the only first-place Rookie of the Year vote that didn’t go to Chris Paul.
• In 2006-07, Deron had a 21-assist game against the Memphis Grizzlies.
• Deron was runner-up to Steve Nash as the NBA’s 2006-07 assist leader.
• Deron’s nickname is D-Will.
• Deron worked out with John Stockton in Washington during his first two summers in the NBA. It helped him learn Jerry Sloan’s offense.
• Deron wrestled in high school.
• Deron pronounces his named DARE-in, not der-ON. When the PA guys mispronounce his name, he uses it as motivation to make the fans remember his name.
• Deron’s Illinois teammate, Luther Head, was also a first-rounder in 2005. He was drafted by the Houston Rockets with the 24th pick.
• Deron may never make the NBA’s All-Interview team. His answers are almost always short and direct.
• Deron and his college swetheart, Amy, had a daughter named Denae in 2002.

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