CHAMPAIGN - The power of Deron Williams' shooting star will serve as the vehicle that pulls together a legendary gathering of Illini basketball greats.

Some of the most celebrated players in Illini basketball history will once again take to the Assembly Hall court in a reunion game dubbed, "A Night of Legends."

The game, featuring some of the best players from the past 20 years, will be played at 7 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 13 at the Assembly Hall.

The event is being tied to the Deron Williams' Point of Hope Foundation dinner the night before in Chicago, which will already include many Illini basketball standouts.

Williams, who led Illinois to the NCAA national championship game in 2005, is riding a fantastic wave of success. He has established himself as one of the premier point guards in the NBA with the Utah Jazz, was recently rewarded with a four-year, $70 million contract extension and is currently in China preparing to represent the United States at the Olympic Games.

And while a reunion game has been on the drawing board for many years, it appears that Williams' star power is making the game a reality.

Already committed to the event is the entire starting lineup in 2005. That includes Williams, Dee Brown, Luther Head, Roger Powell and James Augustine. Backup Jack Ingram has also indicated he will play.

Members of the 1989 Flyin' Illini team confirming their attendance are Kendall Gill, Kenny Battle and Steve Bardo. Additionally, Illini greats such as Brian Cook, Frank Williams, Marcus Griffin, Kiwane Garris and Sergio McClain plan to attend as do former Illini players Robert Archibald, Lucas Johnson, Cleotis Brown and Victor Chukwudebe.

Others will be added, according to assistant coach Jerrance Howard, who is helping coordinate the event and also plans to play.

"We're very excited and very pleased," said Illini coach Bruce Weber, who met with Williams' Point of Hope officials in Utah to begin planning the event. "This is a big step for us to continue to establish our program and the tremendous tradition we have here at Illinois."

Weber said an effort is being made to contact many recent players with an eye on players who can still be competitive on the floor.

"We're talking to my former guys and guys who played for Bill Self, Lon Kruger and Lou Henson, especially guys who can still play a little bit. That will be important for the game's sake.

"I'm sure the game will have more of a fun atmosphere, enjoying each other, getting up and down, the dunks and highlight-type plays. Then we'll top it off recognizing the jerseys."

A highlight of the night will honor the most decorated players in school history by hanging jerseys from the rafters of the Assembly Hall. Specific criteria will be used to select 20 men's players and one women's player and Williams will have his No. 5 jersey raised as the first of those to be honored.

Additional players to be honored will be announced over the next few weeks.

Proceeds from the Friday night's $500-a-plate fund-raiser in Chicago, which also showcases Illini basketball legends including Johnny "Red" Kerr, Manny Jackson and Eddie Johnson, will help Williams endow a scholarship at the University of Illinois.

His Point of Hope Foundation also gives money to other charities in Illinois, Utah and Texas, his home state.

"I'm so proud of Deron," Weber said. "Just being around him, he has really matured and grown up and he understands what it's all about. When they called about his foundation, I went out there and saw how involved he was. Last year his first event raised $100,000.

"Hopefully this will be a long-term positive thing where he continues to give back, not only to the university, but to as many people as he can affect their lives.

"It would really be good if (the United States) gets a gold medal and Deron plays well. That would make it even nicer leading into that weekend."Illinois men's basketball season ticket holders have the first opportunity to purchase tickets for the "Legends" game. Tickets are $15 each. Should tickets remain following a sale to season ticket holders, the general public will have an opportunity to purchase tickets beginning Aug. 22.

This won't be Williams' only Assembly Hall appearance this fall. The Utah Jazz are scheduled to play the Chicago Bulls in an exhibition game on Oct. 17 in Champaign.

Mark Tupper can be reached at mtupper@herald-review.com or at 421-7983.