He was selected as a McDonalds All-American and won the states Mr. Basketball award. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame of the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association in 2019. He still maintains the Illini career steals (324) and assists (765) records. Williams and his colleagues made it to the Elite 8 in 2001 while still attending Illinois. He ranks sixth in Big Ten history with his career 3-pointers and career steals. 2022 Illinois High School Boys Basketball Player Rankings | Prep Hoops Illinois 2022 Rankings WL indicates Watch List Access all of Prep Hoops Subscribe for access to all premium articles and rankings. To support our blog and writers we put affiliate links and advertising on our page. Gatorade State Boys Cross Country Winners MAXWELL HARDIN ALABAMA DAVID SLIWINSKI ALASKA BRANDON MARTZ ARIZONA HUDSON BETTS ARKANSAS LEO YOUNG CALIFORNIA CHRISTIAN GROENDYK COLORADO STEVEN HERGENROTHER CONNECTICUT JONATHAN DREW DELAWARE PIERRE ATTIOGBE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PATRICK KOON FLORIDA TOMMY LATHAM GEORGIA KEANE PALMER HAWAII LANDON HEEMEYER Thus, a bust at the next level really isnt relevant (Jereme Richmond), nor is a late bloomer with a modest high school career who went on to become a star at the next level (Frank Kaminsky). Cook assisted in guiding the Illini to a top seed in the 2001 NCAA Tournament. ); Matt Daniels, Champaign News-Gazette; Jimmy Dean, WGGH radio Marion; Adam Duvall, Peoria Journal Star; Kevin Hieronymus, Bureau CountyRepublican; Justin Kindle, Metropolis Planet; Fred Kroner, Mahomet Daily; Colin Likas, Champaign News-Gazette; Randy List, Centralia Morning Sentinel; Jim Mattson, WEEK-TV Peoria/Bloomington; Randy Reinhardt, Bloomington Pantagraph; Matt Rodewald, IHSA TV Network; Mason Schweizer, Kankakee Daily Journal; Steve Tappa, MC22-TV Quad Cities/QCSportsNet/AP All-State chair; Matt Trowbridge, Rockford Register-Star; Greg Shashack, Alton Telegraph; Alex Wallner, Effingham Daily News; Josh Welge, Kendall County Record/Kane County Chronicle; William Welt, Springfield State Journal-Register; Matt Wilson, Carlyle Union Banner. February 23. a staff of more than 50 full time recruiting reporters and evaluators that rank and compile data on the nation's elite high school recruits.More Info About; Contact Us; Advertisers . The squad advanced to the Final Four before Michigan defeated them. 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. Polling Place: Is Patrick Kane the greatest Blackhawk ever? But his pure talent puts him on the second team. 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). It is universally recognizable that Illinois produces top-notch athletes, including some of the best basketball players in the nation. 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. He averaged 9.3 points as a rookie last season. From 1987 through 1989, Battle competed in collegiate sports at the University of Illinois. DePaul womens basketball star Aneesah Morrow, 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. Teams; CBS Sports; CBS SPORTS HQ; SportsLine; MaxPreps; Shop; StubHub; Follow 247Sports. Crestwood (North York ONT CAN) 5. State Series Information & Results; Records & History; Basketball Advisory Committee; 3-Year Season Calendar; IHSA Administrator. Liberty participated in college basketball at the University of Illinois, where he played for the 1989 NCAA Final Four-bound team. Craft committed to Xavier last week. Who do you take? In his college career, he made 216 three-pointers, which ranks fifth all-time among Illini players. Prep girls basketball action remains in full . Denali Craig Edwards, Peoria High (6-0, Sr., SG/F) 67 Amalia Dray, LaGrange Nazareth (5-8, Jr., F) 37 Claire McDougall, Washington (6-0, Sr., G) 33 Aubrey Galvan, Deerfield (5-6, Soph., PG) 31. Sterling Brown County (5-10, Sr., PG) 31; Grace Bishop, Albion Edwards County (5-8, Fr., F) 20; Gracie Heckert, Cowden Herrick/Beecher City (5-10, Sr., G) 20; Sophia Hoffmann, Carlyle (5-6, Soph., G) 18; Whitney Sullivan, Orangeville (6-3, Jr., G/F) 18; Delaney Panozzo, Grant Park (6-3, Sr., PG) 14; Brook Pieper, Abingdon Avon (6-1, Sr., C) 12; Shelby Veltrop, Morrison (6-3, Sr., F/C) 12; Abby Compton, Goreville (6-0, Jr., F) 11; Alexa Jamison, Catlin Salt Fork (5-6, Soph., G) 11; Ella Boyer, Tuscola (5-5, Sr., G) 9; Ava Heinz, Brimfield (6-1, Soph., F/C) 9; Taryn Wickman, Havana (5-9, Sr., G/F) 9; Addi Fair, Gardner-South Wilmington (5-6, Jr., G) 8; Audrey Sabol, Nokomis (6-0, Sr., F) 8; Alexis Wade, Mt. From 1986 until 1990, he was an Illinois student. Coach: Spin Salario 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. He attended Illinois between 1993 and 1998. While playing for the Fighting Illinis Final Four squad in 12 games as a freshman in 198889, Kaufmann averaged 4.3 points per contest. Avila is a coveted mid-major target. 2 and Okafor No. March 2, Scott Burgess The Illinois High School Association was . Last season he played in 49 games for the Wizards, averaging 15 minutes and 5.5 points. Post-high school career:In three seasons at Villanova, Brunson won a pair of national championships. High School: Link Academy (Branson, Missouri). Mid-major programs will keep their fingers crossed the point guards recruitment stays at their level. 2026; 2025; 2024; 2023; 2022 . Every year he played, Gills Illini received NCAA bids. Chasson Randle of Rock Island moves quickly down the court, defended by Terrance Walker of Brooks. The team fell just short of reaching its first final four since 1952, falling to the University of Kentucky in a contentious game. By Garen Vartanian and. Also won state in 1960 behind George Wilson (back row,. Guard Rennie Clemons of Illinois occasionally stood out while playing basketball. He owns the Illinois team records for career points (179) and career field goals (64) in the NCAA Tournament. 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. James Griffin was able to dominate while playing for the University of Illinois thanks to his physical attributes. 10 Famous Basketball Players who played for UNC. Facts, Famous people, Sports, United States, The 201112 Illinois Fighting Illini men's basketball team photo by MrMcPhoto - Wikimedia commons, 2011 12 Illinois Fighting Illini mens basketball team photo by MrMcPhoto Wikimedia commons. Downey received the Big Ten Conference Medal of Honor in 1963 for his achievements in both academics and athletics. Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. McKenney was named a MaxPreps Freshman All-American in 2022 after he averaged 16.5 points and 6.3 rebounds for St. Mary's and started every game for his school on the way to a 20-5 record. 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. March 01, 2023 5:30 AM. Alexander averaged 25 points, 16 rebounds and six blocks as a senior and was named the Chicago Sun-Times Player of the Year. In 2004, he was chosen for the Illini Mens Basketball All-Century Team. Williams was selected as one of the 100 Legends of the IHSA Boys Basketball Tournament in 2007, in honour of his outstanding play during that tournament. Check out: 10 Famous Basketball Players who played for Duke. The number in parentheses is the player's number of years in the NBA. Steve Bardo photo by TonyTheTiger Wikimedia commons. Scott Burgess Robert Archibald photo by Elemaki Wikimedia commons. A ranking of the 2001 Best NFL Basketball Players in Illinois. He now ranks 12th all-time in Illinois scoring after concluding his collegiate career as the most prolific scorer in school history. His career average of 8.3 rebounds per night matched him for eighth place on the schools all-time list. And he won big, capturing four state championships and compiling 118 wins in his four-year Simeon career. Huff can be utilized in a wide range of roles. MaxPreps.com; High School Basketball; Illinois; Illinois Rankings; IL High School Basketball Rankings. First all-black team to win state. A list of "100 Legends of the IHSA Boys Basketball Tournament" was assembled on December 14, 2005. He played for the Illini, who finished second in the country and tied an NCAA record with 37 victories. The fan base, historical events, and players from Illinois are legendary. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. We also wanted to know or did we? 3 pick in the 2015 NBA Draft and has played four seasons in the NBA with the Philadelphia 76ers, Brooklyn Nets and is currently with the New Orleans Pelicans. Stay connected with BVM Sports: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram, {"rules": {"password": "required", "password_confirm": {"equalTo": "#registerPassword"}}}. Post-high school career:As a sophomore at Kentucky, Ulis was the SEC Player of the Year and a consensus All-American. The top prospect in the class possesses the versatility and physical profile that opens eyes with his size, length and athleticism. His time with the Illini includes playing both power forward and centre, setting numerous team records, making it to the national championship game, and winning numerous honours. We may all come from different walks of life but we have one common passion - learning through travel. Following his stellar career at UConn, Boatright has played overseas and in the NBAs G League. 3 in their respective draft classes. With the 2022-23 basketball season fast approaching, here are the top 10 seniors for the upcoming season. Simmenthal Milano Ignis Varese 1965-1966 championship, Skip Thoren with the ball, Flaborea and Riminucci recognize each other photo sourced from Wikimedia commons. . Chicagos first state champions. 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.