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Illinois basketball's All-Time Assist List could see an addition during the 2016-17 season

Tracy Abrams has a small chance to crack the Top 10.

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

Over the next week, we'll be taking a closer look at Illinois basketball's updated career leaders in major statistical categories to see if any members of the current roster can etch their names into the record books. Today's post will look at the All-Time Assist List.

Illinois All-Time LeadersPoints Rebounds Assists

In an alternate universe, at least one of Demetrius Jackson, Quentin Snider, Jalen Brunson, and Jawun Evans is vying for a position on Illinois' All-Time Assist List. I desperately wish we lived in that universe.

Sixth-year senior Tracy Abrams has a shot to crack the Top 10 this year, but past injuries and playing time represent a few roadblocks in his way. Let's take a closer look at where things stand.

Illinois Basketball's All-Time Assist Leaders

RANK PLAYER YEARS FR. SO. JR. SR. TOTAL
1 Bruce Douglas* (1982-86) 189 158 200 199 765
2 Demetri McCamey (2007-11) 115 156 254 208 733
3 Dee Brown (2002-06) 159 147 177 191 674
4 Deron Williams (2002-05) 145 185 264 X 594
5 Kiwane Garris (1993-97) 107 117 98 180 502
6 Stephen Bardo (1986-90) 85 125 148 137 495
7 Chester Frazier (2005-09) 50 148 122 164 484
8 Richard Keene (1992-96) 73 113 111 162 459
9 Frank Williams (1999-02) 131 148 153 X 432
10 Derek Harper (1980-83) 156 145 118 X 419

Asterisks denote minor discrepancies between total career assists, and the sum of yearly totals from basketball reference; this is possibly due to the exclusion of postseason games on the stat sheet PDFs. The career numbers come straight from Illinois' official record book.

Current Illini who could crack the Top 10

RANK PLAYER YEARS FR. SO. JR. SR. TOTAL
N/A Tracy Abrams (2011-) 60 121 112 ? 293

Tracy Abrams is 126 assists away from tying Derek Harper for No. 10 all-time in career assists. So there's absolutely a chance for this list to see an addition. But there are two huge factors that will be going against him.

For starters, Abrams has missed two straight seasons with injuries; it's hard to envision any scenario in which his production mirrors what we saw during seasons 1-3 in Champaign. Also, the playing time in the backcourt is completely up for grabs. Jaylon Tate (if he returns to the team), Te'Jon Lucas, and probably even Malcolm Hill will all see plenty of reps as the primary ball-handler, so there won't be as many opportunities for Abrams to set a new career-high.