Chicago basketball was an afterthought until coach "Spin" Salarios squad came on the scene. Cupps was named Mr. Ohio Basketball and Ohio MaxPreps Player of the Year as a junior and is committed to playing for Indiana. Scott Burgess Altenberger ranks in Illinois' all-time top 25 in scoring (1,271 career points) and holds the Illini record with a three-point shooting percentage of .472 over his four seasons. Post-high school career:As a sophomore at Kentucky, Ulis was the SEC Player of the Year and a consensus All-American. Douglas had a stellar career with Illinois, where he was a statistical leader in numerous categories. In 1983, Harper was chosen to the First Team All-Big Ten and Second Team All-American teams, while in 1981 and 1982, he received Honorable Mention All-Big Ten recognition. Simeon Vocational Academy is where Anderson played high school basketball before moving on to play for the Fighting Illini team that won the NCAA Final Four in 1989 for three years while attending the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Luther Head of the Houston Rockets of the National Basketball Association (NBA) photo byKeith Allison Wikimedia commons. Now he just needs to improve his jumper to maximize his offensive potential. He managed to achieve 1,271 career points and subsequently held a three-point shooting percentage of .472 through the four seasons he was at Illinois. Craft committed to Xavier last week. Bill Self sought out Williams to join the University of Illinois basketball team for the NCAA 20022003 season. Every year he played, Gills Illini received NCAA bids. During the 200910 NCAA Division I mens basketball season, he became the first Fighting Illini to average more than seven assists per game throughout an entire season. On his way to making 209 three-pointers for his career, he set a school record in 2005 by making 116 of them (sixth in school history). These qualities have allowed them to dominate their rivals and earn many honours along the way to success. Playoff results: W 70-64 vs. Rock Falls (state final), W 74-62 vs. West Aurora (state semifinal), W 72-59 vs. Herrin (state quarterfinal), W 63-43 vs. Elgin (supersectional), W 68-59 (OT) vs. Dunbar (city final). Between 2002 and 2006, Brown was a student-athlete at the University of Illinois. The 2010s era of prep basketball in Illinois came to an end last spring when the Class of 2019 graduated and moved on to the college ranks. He flashes various scoring abilities. Subscribe Already a subscriber? Boxscore Men's Basketball vs Indiana January 19, 2023 7:30 pm CT. Jan 24. mbball. Since being the No. High School: Waukee Senior High School (Waukee, Iowa). The light came on during his junior campaign, the production increased and the arrow continues to point straight up. First all-black team to win state. Thompson (41), Tyrone Johnson (17). He was that talented of a player and that dynamic of a high school basketball figure. In Illinois mens basketball history, Thomas is the only player with at least 2,000 career points. Rnk: Athlete: POS: Rookie Yr: School: Overall Rank: 1: George Mikan: C: 1947: Archbishop Quigley (Chicago) 12: 2 . Cook played 132 games for the University of Illinois over four years, each season leading the Illini in rebounds. [1] [2] Throughout the state, 281 individuals were nominated and were chosen by geographic region and tournament era. During his senior year, he also captured the NCAA Slam Dunk title at the Final Four. 6'5". High School: Pewaukee High School (Pewaukee, Wisconsin). Period. High School: Jefferson Senior High School (Minneapolis). Parker, who scored 1,870 points in his career, became the first two-time Illinois Mr. Basketball winner in state history. Douglas was selected for the Illinois All-Century Team in October 2004. Recap Men's Basketball January 28, 2023 2 pm CT. Boxscore Men's Basketball Wisconsin January 28, 2023 2 pm CT. Teams; CBS Sports; CBS SPORTS HQ; . He scored 15.9 points on average per game. Willie Darden Jr Connecticut. One year after graduating from high school, Davis went No. The point guard, who was 6 feet 3 inches tall, averaged 14 points per game. A 4-man with versatility and a terrific body, dimensions and growing skill to work with. You will now be able to customize your experience on our website. High School: Lincoln High School (Sioux Falls, South Dakota). And forget about the ranking as Parker was the No. He was named to the Big Ten All-Defensive Team and received an honourable mention for the Big Ten. In the fall of 1950, Kerr committed to Illinois, and for the 195051 season, he played on the freshman squad. Ames might only be 6-foot-2, but he's a nightmare on both ends of the floor, as he can fill it up on one end and is a defensive menace on the other. This season the Railsplitters are the. 1 pick in the 2012 NBA Draft, Davis has been a six-time all-star and averaged 23.7 points, 10.5 rebounds and 2.5 blocks in his career. The player who displays the most hustle throughout the season is given the Kenny Battle Inspirational Award by the Illini. From 1941 to 1943 and again from 1946 to 1947, Philip attended the University of Illinois. Jahari Miller Indiana. Recommended Lists: Badminton Players Baseball Players 5 Shaquille O' Neal (Basketball player) 135 32 Birthdate: March 6, 1972 Sun Sign: Pisces Birthplace: Newark, New Jersey, United States Shaquille O'Neal is an American former basketball player who currently works as a sports analyst. Best Version Media, LLC. A ranking of the 2004 Best NFL Basketball Players in Illinois. James Augustine and Brown both played in 137 games during their careers. First all-black team to win state. Weatherspoon, who was a member of the NBA All-Rookie Team in 1974, played in the NBA for a total of seven seasons with the San Diego Clippers, the Chicago Bulls, the Seattle SuperSonics, and the Washington Bullets. Off-the-court issues plagued Richmond, including a short period of time in prison. He was a member of Bill Selfs back-to-back Big Ten championship teams in 2000-01 and 2001-02. The player who did more for himself during the early live periods than anyone, grabbing attention with his physical attributes, athleticism and motor. Youngs Jahlil Okafor looks to move inside, as St. Rita fans scream from behind. For local insights and insiders travel tips that you wont find anywhere else, search any keywords in the top right-hand toolbar on this page. A ranking of the 2004 Best NFL Basketball Players in Illinois. , a second-team All-American as only a freshman last season, was a standout at Simeon in Chicago before making her way to the collegiate level. However, the fact Richmond played just one year in the decade hurt his case. He was selected for the University of Illinois All-Century Team in 2004. During his senior year, he also captured the NCAA Slam Dunk title at the Final Four. . The results of that poll, in a word: Oof. There were three different players Anthony Davis, Jabari Parker and Jahlil Okafor who at one time were considered the top-ranked prospect in the country during their high school career. MaxPreps.com; High School Basketball; Illinois; Illinois Rankings; IL High School Basketball Rankings. The Illinois AP all-state girls basketball team was released on Wednesday, with just one Rockford-area player on the first- or second-team list: Byron star senior forward Ava Kultgen. Bottom Line: Elliot Cadeau will be in a new state and at a new school for his junior season with Link Academy the five-star recruit and No. Interested in high school basketball? Supporting cast: Bobby Jones (64), Steve Thomas (64), M.C. 5-11 / 165. After a lackluster first season, the 6-foot-5 center put up 14.6 . 1 in our boys' rankings. He served as the team captain for Illinois Flyin Illini squad in 1989. A ranking of the 2004 Best NFL Basketball Players in Illinois . Hes spent time with the Bucks, Chicago Bulls and Washington Wizards and will play this season with the Atlanta Hawks. 10 Famous Basketball Players who played for Duke. As a junior in the city title game, Okafor went for 19 points, 14 rebounds and seven blocks, including the game-saving block of Billy Garretts shot in Youngs 60-56 overtime win over Morgan Park. Illinois High School Association. Altenberger was. In his debut game, he scored 22 points. Bottom Line: Cathedral High center and Michigan State commit Xavier Booker is a Top 10 national recruit and a player who could make an immediate impact at the next level. Elijah Fisher. Bottom Line: Jefferson's Daniel Freitag was the only underclassman to make the Minnesota AP All-State squad first or second team after he averaged 26.7 points as a sophomore in 2021-22. Post-high school career:As a junior at Connecticut, Boatright was a key defensive player and averaged 12.1 points in helping the Huskies to a NCAA national championship. Zion (6-0, Jr., G/F) 24; Evyn Carrier, Sycamore (6-4, Sr., C) 24; Mya Wardle, Peoria Notre Dame (5-7, Jr., PG) 24; Shannon Blacher, Lombard Montini (5-11, Sr., G) 23; Norah Gum, Waterloo (6-0, Sr., F) 15; Kiarra Kilgore, Galesburg (5-9, Jr., G) 14; Jerzy Bittle, Marion (5-9, Sr., G) 12; Kaylen Reed, Rochester (5-6, Sr., PG) 9; Olivia Austin, LaGrange Nazareth (6-1, Jr., F) 8; LaKeeyah Barnes, Chicago Morgan Park (5-4, Jr., G) 8; Lexi Carlsen, Sycamore (5-8, Jr., G) 8; Lily Esparza, Rockford Boylan (6-2, Jr., C) 8; Justice Malone, Mount Vernon (5-8, Sr., G/F) 8; Grace Wilke, Highland (5-8, Sr., G) 8; Danielle Beach, Geneseo (5-10, Sr., PG/SG) 6; Jazmyne Bynum, Chicago Hyde Park (5-5, Jr., G) 6; Page Erickson, Burlington Central (5-9, Sr., G) 6; Rachel Kaus, Lake Forest (6-0, Sr., F) 6; Nikki Kerstein, Deerfield (5-7, Soph., PG/SG) 6;Victoria Matulevicius, Lombard Montini (5-8, Jr., G) 6; Kayla Rice, Rock Island (5-6, Sr., G) 6; Savannah Orgeron, Mahomet-Seymour (5-10, Sr., G/F) 6; Annie Wirth, Geneseo (6-0, Sr., F) 6. During his senior season Okafor averaged 24.1 points and 11.3 rebounds while compiling a 28-5 record and capturing a Class 4A state championship. Battles hustle and amazing slam dunks made him a fan favourite. Also worth noting and in the same vein Cadeau's sponsorship deal with Swedish company Vitamin Drink made him the first U.S. high school player to sign an international Name, Image, Likeness (NIL) contract. Gill attended the University of Illinois after being named to the six-player All-Tournament team while attending Rich Central High School in Olympia Fields. The 2000-01 team advanced to the Elite Eight of the NCAA mens basketball tournament, with each team earning a spot in the competition. First trip to state since back-to-back . Boys Basketball . Kameron Mercer Ohio. Phone: (309) 663-6377 Fax: (309) 663-7479 : 2715 McGraw Drive Bloomington, IL 61704-6011 Map & directions : Office Hours High School: Link Academy (Branson, Missouri). Bardo had 909 points and 495 assists during his exceptional career at the University of Illinois. 2022 Best NFL Basketball Players in Illinois (0) 2022 . Thomas participated in collegiate basketball at Illinois. 220 32 8. The Illini finished with an 18-6 record during Thorens senior year, placing third in the Big Ten with a 10-4 record. Not all players go on to play professionally, but they still deserve to be recognized for their contributions to basketball.With the state finals approaching, the Chicago Tribune created a 100 greatest players ever list that spans the course of Illinois' 118-year-old high school basketball history. The basketball team Phillip captained was undoubtedly the best in the country and served as its unofficial captain. He is already committed to playing for new Kansas State head coach Jerome Tang, who has already made inroads with many of the top recruits in the midwest. (The first girls state tournament was in 1977; the boys tournament started in 1908 at the Oak Park YMCA.) With 2,129 points scored throughout his career and an average of 18.0 points per game, Thomas completed his playing days as the Fighting Illinis all-time top scorer. The highlight of his career was the 196061 campaign when Wessels was honoured as an All-American honourable mention on an Illinois squad that concluded the regular season with a 915 overall record, enough for seventh place in the Big Ten. March 2, Steve Parham In 2004, he was selected for the All-Century Team at the University of Illinois. "Streaming Central Wisconsin Christian vs Oakfield - WIAA High School Boys Basketball Live @ OakfieldStream On : http://4ty.me/c17fcbThanks For Watching And . Demetri McCamey signals a play photo by Joshua Beckman Wikimedia commons. Throughout his four years at Illinois, he participated in 129 of 130 games, missing just one game during his first year. Feb 27, 2023. The Fighting Illini were led by junior Gill to 1989 Final Four, where they fell to Michigan on a last-second shot. The Top Ranked Basketball Players of All-Time from Illinois High Schools . A ranking of the 2022 Best NFL Football Players in Illinois. He was named the Most Valuable Player of the 2015 U19 World Championship as he led Team USA to a gold medal. His follow-up dunk at the buzzer to beat West Aurora in the semifinals capped off a game in which Alexander had 37 points, 26 rebounds, five blocks and 10 rim-rattling dunks. Also won state in 1960 behind George Wilson (back row,. A ranking of the 2001 Best NFL Basketball Players in Illinois. That's the good stuff. He averaged 7.6 points and five rebounds in 22 minutes a game in his one season of college basketball. Based on the armys selection of Mathisen, Menke, and Smiley, Phillip and his teammates would decide not to take part in either the NCAA or NIT tournament. FB Recruiting Home; News Feed; Team Rankings; Commitments; Decommitments; Scheduled Commits; If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Post-high school career:As a unanimous first-team All-American at Duke as a freshman, Okafor led the Blue Devils to the 2015 national championship. Below are the 128 all-staters from Class 1A, Class 2A, Class 3A and Class 4A. He gained notoriety for his abilities and the Fighting Illinis triumphs in the two seasons (19411943 and 19461947), which were interrupted by the world war. Here are the best boys basketball players in the state of Ohio: 1. Pocket. In 2004, he was chosen for the Illini Mens Basketball All-Century Team. He was chosen to be a part of the Illinois Athletics Hall of Fames 2019 class. Bottom Line: St. Mary's Prep star Trey McKenney is already a Top 20 recruit for the Class of 2025 it's not hard to see him continuing to rise in those rankings over the next two years as Big Ten and Big 12 teams are already falling over themselves to get at the 6-foot-4, 200-pound guard. Bottom Line: Darik Dissette was named Class A All-State after leading Minot High to a 27-2 record and the Class A state championship as a junior in 2021-22. Coach: Spin Salario Williams played three seasons for the Fighting Illini while a student at the University of Illinois, helping the team to numerous NCAA Tournament berths. Sports Illustrated recently released its college basketball All-Decade Team and included Davis on the first team, while Kaminsky, Okafor and Brunson all made the second team. And while, yes, individual talent obviously matters, a winning pedigree and accomplishments do come into play. Coach Ezra Hendrickson, Fire looking to prove doubters wrong, Baseball quiz: Remember what happened after Jackie, Kahleah Copper: Precious mettle for the new-look Sky. He started at centre for the 195859 Fighting Illini squad, which concluded with a 1210 record and fifth-place finish in the Big Ten. He scored 29 points in East Auroras huge upset of unbeaten and No. It is universally recognizable that Illinois produces top-notch athletes, including some of the best basketball players in the nation. For the University of Illinois, Derek averaged 10 rebounds per game while also setting records for blocked shots with 88 in a single season and 11 in a single game. Griffin had a good shooting touch, but his post-up talents werent NBA-caliber. The understated Randle has one heck of a career rsum, including a Class 3A state championship as a senior and sharing the states Mr. Basketball Award that same year with another all-decade performer, Ryan Boatright. While playing for the Fighting Illinis Final Four squad in 12 games as a freshman in 198889, Kaufmann averaged 4.3 points per contest. Downey played college basketball at the University of Illinois Fighting Illini basketball team from 1960 to 1963. One of the best performances by an Illinois player was his 35 points against Michigan State in January 1974. Belleville Wests EJ Liddell (32) holds up three fingers after dropping one against Evanston in the Class 4A state championship. 3 in their respective draft classes. A very short NBA career consisted of a total of 10 points in eight games for the Portland Trail Blazers. We may all come from different walks of life but we have one common passion - learning through travel. With the 2022-23 basketball season fast approaching, here are the top 10 seniors for the upcoming season. Davis put up monster numbers during his senior year, though Perspectives didnt play the type of schedule that showcased his talents to the masses. He was not picked and never played in the league. Rich McBride was one of the great pure shooters in Illinois history. Mid-major programs will keep their fingers crossed the point guards recruitment stays at their level. A ranking of the 2022 Best NFL Football Players in Illinois. Heaven Chea Washington. Stevensons Jalen Brunson (15) lays in a reverse shot against Riverside-Brookfield. Don't forget to check out our other high school basketball player rankings: The Stadium Talk Podcast, "Season One: High School Football in America," is available now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify,Amazon Music or wherever else you get your podcasts from! Some of the notable players to come out of Indiana are Victor Oladipo, Tyler & Cody Zeller, Mason & Miles Plumlee to name a few. Lincoln High's 7-foot-1 center, JT Rock (another great name) still has two years to develop before he gets to the next level. We grouped our selections in four 16-team divisions: the top champions from the city, from the suburbs, from downstate defined as anywhere in Illinois other than the city and suburbs and the 16 best girls state champions. A top 50 player nationally, Liddell was the top-ranked prospect in Illinois in the Class of 2019. [3] David Oyona-Ibandzo. 13. He ranks sixth in Big Ten history with his career 3-pointers and career steals. There was a stretch during the first half of the decade where the state was churning out generational talent, many who left their mark on the sport forever. Here are the 50 best Illinois basketball players of all time. The Illinois High School Association (IHSA) celebrated 100 years of the IHSA State Tournament in the 2006-07 season. He finished his career as Rock Islands all-time leading scorer (2,159) and rebounder (773). Best Version Media, LLC. Tisdale is an Illinois native who spent 20072011 as a student at the University of Illinois. Avila is a coveted mid-major target. 34 overall) of the Phoenix Suns. The career Liddell put together is pretty remarkable. Highlighting High School Basketball Prospects in Illinois News, analysis, and recruiting updates on D1, D2, D3, NAIA, and JUCO prospects throughout Illinois Sortable list to easily organize and identify players Player profiles with stats, college interest, videos, news, and more View the Full Prospect List Recent Posts 2022-2023 Season Awards Williams led the Fighting Illini to the NCAA championship game in 2005 as a junior starting point guard, but they fell to the University of North Carolina. San Ysidro (San Diego CA) 4. Erick Dampier Jr Mississippi. HONORABLE MENTION (25): Katey Flynn, Mt. In the 19941995 and 19961997 seasons, Garris also held the team record for assists. WNBA greats from Illinois include Candace Parker, Yolanda Griffith and Tamika Catchings. Post-high school career:Liddell is currently a freshman at Ohio State. Guard Rennie Clemons of Illinois occasionally stood out while playing basketball. The battle with inconsistency seems to be one hes starting to win more. MaxPreps Follow your favorite high school teams and players. 1 in the NBA Draft, Parker went No. He also had 139 games played at the end of his career, which he shared with Demetri McCamey as the most games played by any player in the University. The Philadelphia Warriors selected him in the fifth round, 36th overall, of the 1958 NBA Draft. Stay connected with BVM Sports: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram, {"rules": {"password": "required", "password_confirm": {"equalTo": "#registerPassword"}}}. March 2, 3A Sectional Finals Preview and Storylines, Scott Burgess He still maintains the Illini career steals (324) and assists (765) records. Bradfords most notable claim to fame was his 88-game streak, which set an NCAA record for the most consecutive games with a three-point field goal, before it was surpassed on February 13, 2001. 2 pick in the 2014 NBA Draft. Coach: Spin Salario Other teams such the mid-1990s Thornton juggernaut that was blocked by Peoria Manuals dynasty; the 1977 Westinghouse team that featured Mark Aguirre and Eddie Johnson but didnt make it out of the city playoffs; Edwardsvilles mid-1950s teams with future Globetrotters Mannie Jackson and Govoner Vaughn; and the 1954 DuSable team that put Chicago basketball on the map certainly belong in any discussion of the states best all-time teams, but this list is for champions only. Throughout his 10-year pro career, Ohl averaged 15.9 points per game, demonstrating how well his scoring ability transferred to the NBA. The same season, he was named to the first team of the Big Ten and the All-American teams. That evolution is chronicled in Glory Days, as 50 of the state's best high school basketball players from the past five decades sit down to chat with longtime prep basketball scribe Taylor Bell. Playoff results: W 70-64 vs. Rock Falls (state final), W 74-62 vs. West Aurora (state semifinal), W 72-59 vs. Herrin (state quarterfinal), W 63-43 vs. Elgin (supersectional), W 68-59 (OT) vs. Dunbar (city final). Richard Keene gave 459 assists during his career at Illinois and he ranks eighth in its history. Since then Richmond has played professionally for fractions of a season in the Dominican Republic and Argentina. Months later he was the No. 1 player in the country and a coveted high-major prospect. 10 min read. You will now be able to customize your experience on our website. 1. To support our blog and writers we put affiliate links and advertising on our page. Castillo averaged 24.7 points, 5.4 rebounds and 3.5 assists as a junior for Bartlesville, as his team went 9-9. Darrin "Dai Dai" Ames, sr., Kenwood (Illinois) Ames had one of the best performances of the season at the Proviso West Holiday Tournament, scoring a tourney-record 65 points, and the point guard scored 27 going up against DJ Wagner and Camden (New Jersey) on Friday. March 1, 10 Best: Wednesday Sectional Semi Preview, Scott Burgess Top 100 +. The 19911992 NBA season was his greatest year as a professional; he played in 75 games for the Nuggets and averaged 9.3 points per game. Kendall Gill, Stephen Bardo, Kenny Battle, Lowell Hamilton, and Marcus Liberty were all teammates of Andersons who went on to play in the NBA, with only Hamilton missing out on playing in the NBA. It's a pretty simple concept you have the No. Buzelis averaged 11.4 points, 5.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.3 blocks and 1.2 steals for Brewster in 2021-22 and played for the World Team at the Nike Hoop Summit following his season. The fan base, historical events, and players from Illinois are legendary. With his 2,682 career points, Brunson is among the top 20 all-time scorers in state history. Chicagos first state champions. While playing for Illinois, McBride led the Fighting Illini to the NCAA Final Four in 2005 and was named to the All-Big 10 honourable mention team. He graduated from Illinois as the schools seventh-highest scorer ever. Conner spent the majority of his collegiate career playing the centre position out of position, but he more than made up for it with his amazing leaping abilities. Adan Diggs Arizona. Eleven of the 16 state finalists ended the season ranked . The Illini then rolled to the Final 8, when the Arizona Wildcats upset them in a contentious and hard-fought contest. As a senior, he averaged 16.6 points per game from his cutting drives while also setting a school record with 89 steals for the year with his freakishly athletic body. Here are the 50 best Illinois basketball players of all time. While the high-level consistency remains a work in progress, Casey still boasts the biggest upside in the class. He was the Fighting Illini team captain in 197374. After taking over for Bryan Leonard in the third game of the 198283 season, Winters started at power forward for the following four years. The Fighting Illini team came to be known as the Flyin Illini. The Denver Nuggets then selected him in the second round of the 1990 NBA Draft, 42nd overall. 2 has narrowed. Wessels continued to play centre as a junior in the 195960 campaign for a group that placed third in the conference with a 167 overall record. Recently on Feb. 21, Davenport North squared off . The 2022 Illinois High School Association state finals are scheduled for March 2-4 in Normal. Guyton, is one of the most sought-after guards in the Class of 2024, with a dozen or more Division I offers. As a professional he played overseas and has had stints with the 76ers, Knicks and Wizards in the NBA. High School Basketball; Current Affairs; Off-Topic Board; . Also, with a career field goal percentage of 57.2 per cent (456-797), he is fifth in school history. Pulaski (5-8, Sr., PG) 8; Josie Armstrong, Tri-County (5-8, Jr., G) 6; Ashlynn Arnsman, Mendon Unity (6-0, Sr., F/C) 6; Jase Burkett, Woodlawn (5-6, Jr., PG) 6; Laney Cahoon, Orangeville (5-7, Soph., G) 6; Olivia Meyers, Elmwood (5-11, Sr., F/C) 6; Alondra Reyes, Chicago Hope Academy (5-8, Sr., F/G) 6; Briley Rhodes, Okawville (5-6, Sr., SG/PG) 6; Maddy Swisher, Champaign St. Thomas More (6-0, Sr., G/F) 6; Clara Bella VanOpdorp, Annawan (5-3, Soph., PG/SG) 6. Each voter picked a five-player first team and five-player second team in each class. Dawson transferred to Illinois after his sophomore year and was chosen to the 1974 All-Big Ten team as well as an academic All-American. High School: Minot High School (Minot, North Dakota). . While still vitally important, at this later stage of their high school careers, its not simply about projection. Ulis decided to forgo his final two years at Kentucky and was a second-round pick (No. In 199091, Kaufmann led the squad as a junior scoring average of 21.3 ppg. As a sophomore, Burwell made an immediate impact and served as the middle anchor for Illinois 1963 Big Ten winning squad. Let us look at 30 of the best high school players of all time. My goodness. Super Bowl Odds 2023 - Best Odds To Win Super Bowl 57; Tickets; Players Born In Peoria (IL), United States. Garris was the Fighting Illinis second-highest scorer as a freshman in 199394, trailing only Deon Thomas. He graduated from Illinois as the schools seventh-highest scorer ever. With two years of high school basketball still left to play, Freitag's stock continues to rise and he could be a Top 50 national recruit soon. With the nations original March Madness (that would be the Illinois high school basketball tournament) upon us for the 111th time, we came up with an all-time bracket featuring the best champions in state history. His career field goal percentage of 61.7 per cent (534-865) is a school record and ranks fifth all-time in the Big Ten. Kerr scored 1,299 points in his three varsity seasons, averaging 18.6 points per game overall. Dotzler's stats have made a significant leap each year, and as a junior, he averaged 15.7 points, 4.5 assists and 2.3 steals. He was chosen as a first-team All-Big Ten Conference selection by the coaches and the media following the 200910 regular season. A ranking of the 2001 Best NFL Basketball Players in Illinois. There certainly wasnt a player who was as electric or more entertaining during the past decade than the dynamic Boatright. Where Castillo really turned heads for the first time was in international play as he helped lead the Team USA U16 National Team to a gold medal at the FIBA Americas World Championships in 2021. Davis played basketball for Illinois in college after graduating from high school. But his pure talent puts him on the second team. A spark-plug scorer and safe bet to be a productive offensive player at the next level due to his shot-making ability from all areas of the court. February 28, Scott Burgess A ranking of the 2001 Best NFL Basketball Players in Illinois. Illini Starting Five 1946-47 photo by D. Kirk Son of Walton Kirk Jr. Wikimedia commons. Its a little more challenging for a potential player to be fully recognized and appreciated. Rank Player Pos Ht / Wt Rating Team; No Results for 2004 Basketball . An explosive guard with blazing end-to-end speed with the basketball, Boatright scored 63 points in one game and went for 55 in another. He began 30 of the 32 games he played as a freshman, finishing third in the Big Ten Conference in assists with 4.53 per contest.