This past week, former Notre Dame and University of Illinois basketball player Brian Randle of Peoria was hired as an assistant coach for the NBA’s Phoenix Suns. Last year, at the age of 35, Randle was promoted to development coach for the Minnesota Timberwolves, and will now work with NBA’s recently named top coach Monty Williams at the Suns.

After graduating from Notre Dame in 2003, Randle spent 10 seasons playing professionally in Germany, Israel and Italy. He was a two-time Israeli League champion (2010, 2017) and two-time Israeli Cup winner (2015,2016) and was named Israeli League Best Defender in 2009, 2014 and 2015.

Randle played 121 games at Illinois from 2003 to 2008, averaging seven points per game, and was named an All-Big Ten defensive pick in 2005 and 2006.

Illinois will be cheering for Randle in his new position at the Suns and wishes him the best of luck.