ILLINOIS
ALL-DECADE TEAMS
The best players from each decade, 1950s through the 2010s — all in one place.
Comments (4)
Yes Jim Falk is mentioned in a article I did a couple weeks ago. He was a great shooter. Thanks
Have not seen your picks. Curious if Rich Falk of Galva High School was mentioned. A tremendous scorer he had perfected the jump shoot very early on. Leading Northwestern after that May have led the Big Ten in scoring at some point. 6’ guard very prolific scorer.
Bill, thanks for bringing Jack Williams to my attention. He was a great athlete who was worthy to be recognized with the other great players of the pre-50's era even though he graduated in 1950. It is very difficult to get a lot of information from that long ago, that is one reason why I am always writing and documenting the "ole" players, teams, and coaches. I was aware that Johnston City was very good back in the Davison and Starrick era. Some great players and coaches have passed through there. I am thinking of making an appeal to my FB and website followers to submit the names and a bio of the great players of the 40's, 50's, and 60's so I can recognize them in a article. Thanks again. Jack
Was Jack Williams, a 1950 graduate of Johnston City High School considered for the 50’s Decade team. He led Jojnston City to Champaign in 1949 and 1950. The 1949 team, I believe was easily the 2nd best team, if not the best, in 1949. They beat Mt. Vernon in the final game of the season and lost by 2 points at Champaign on a couple of controversial calls. Jack Williams went head to head with Max Hooper and played just as well, if not better, in their season matchups. Jack went on to play at Wake Forest where he was inducted into their Athletic HOF. Or,there was Charles “Lefty” Davis, a 1952 Johnston City athlete who excelled in basketball, baseball & track. He followed Jack Williams to Wake Forest playing basketball, baseball & track at the collegiate level. He also is in the Wake Forest HOF, for Basketball & Baseball I believe. He was the starting pitcher for Wake Forest in the 1955 NCAA Baseball Tournament Championship game. Just curious if either were considered? Thank you.
Coming Soon
The Most Successful Illinois High School Basketball Programs of the Last Seven Decades
(1950s – 2010s) · And the Coaches That Made Them
Now that I have named the high school players that I considered to be the best in Illinois during the decade they played, I wanted to focus my attention on the best teams in each of those decades. I used five criteria to name my best players and one of the criteria was team success. Great players make great teams, along with great coaches, so this exercise is more objective than comparing players. Ws and Ls don't always tell an accurate story about a program, but over time it generally is a good barometer of an outstanding program. So, I am basing my choices on wins and losses over a period of time along with championships. Besides the players, the most significant contributor to success is the coach. Great programs have great players, but great players need great coaches to have great programs.
Before I get to the 50's, there are several pre-50's programs and coaches that I want to recognize.
Arthur Trout
Centralia
811–330
37 years
🏆 3 State Championships
2nd, 3rd, and 4th place finishes. Centralia has 2,442 wins — most in the country.
Stan Changnon
Mt. Vernon
230–59
9 years
🏆 2 State Championships
.796 winning percentage. 3rd place finish. Mt. Vernon has 2,072 wins.
Harry Combs
Champaign HS
254–46
9 years
🏆 1 State Championship ('46)
Two 2nd place and two 4th place finishes. Later went to the University of Illinois.
Charlie Summers
Wood River
418–177
21 years
A long, decorated run building one of southern Illinois's premier programs.
Ernie Eveland
Paris
779 career wins
Career
🏆 2 State Championships
Two 2nd place finishes. One of the state's all-time great coaches.
Dolph Stanley
Equality → Taylorville → Beloit College
104–15 (Equality) · 217–49 (Taylorville)
🏆 '44 State Title (45-0)
Took tiny Equality to the state tournament in 1934. His '44 Taylorville squad went 45-0. Went on to a fantastic career at Beloit College.
🏆 1960–61 Collinsville Kahoks — State Champions (32-0)
One of the best high school teams in state history. Hall-of-Fame coach Vergil Fletcher led this undefeated squad featuring All-State players Bogie Redmon (#54) and Fred Riddle (#40).
More coaches and programs from each decade — the 1950s through the 2010s — coming soon. Jack will highlight remarkable careers as he works through each era.
1950s All-Decade Team: Illinois High School Basketball Legends
The best Illinois high school basketball players of the 1950's as chosen from multiple All-State teams, multiple sports outlets, IHAS.org records and statistics, and the Basketball Museum of Illinois.
I started with 25 players that I had chosen from the All-State teams from the Champaign News-Gazette, Chicago Daily News, and Chicago Tribune. I also looked at the HOF players in the Basketball Museum of Illinois that is associated with the Illinois High School Association. I am sure that in my researching 10 years of Illinois high school basketball I overlooked some worthy players.
The All-Decade Team
Max Hooper — Mt. Vernon (1949-50)
6'7" Center — 2xAll-State, Parade All-American, College (Illinois). Back-to-back state championships in '49 and '50. (60-3 record) Scored 36 points in title game in '50. The 1950 Rams team was picked as the best high school team in America in 1950. (All-State Walt Moore was a guard on the state championship teams.)
Bruce Brothers — Quincy (1951-52)
6'5" Forward — 2xAll-State, Chuck Taylor HS All-American, College (Illinois). 1,464 Career Points (21 points and 17 rebounds career average). Runner-up to Hebron in State Tournament in 1952 (82-15 record in 3 years). He is #10 all-time in state tournament scoring.
Archie Dees — Mt. Carmel (1953-54)
6'8" Center — 2xAll-State, Chuck Taylor All-American, College (Indiana). 2,823 Career Points, HS Record (47-11). 2xAll-Big Ten. Led Big Ten in scoring in '57 and '58. 1st Round Draft Pick by the Cincinnati Royals.
Bobby Joe Mason — Centralia (1951-55)
6'0" Guard — 2xAll-State (3xAll-State in 3 other sports), College (Bradley). 2,025 Career Points, High School Record (105-22). Only player to be named 4xAll-Centralia Holiday Tournament. 2xAll-Missouri Conference. Drafted in 1960 by Cincinnati but chose to play with the Harlem Globetrotters.
Terry Bethel — Collinsville (1954-57)
6'7" Center — 2xAll-State, Chuck Taylor All-American, College (Vanderbilt & Illinois). Averaged 20 points over 78-game career at Collinsville (810 Rebounds). The Kahoks' record was 78-8 during Bethel's career. His 1956-57 team finished 2nd in the state tournament.
Charles 'Chico' Vaughn — Egyptian (Tamms HS) (1954-58)
6'2" Guard — 2xAll-State, 2xHS All-American, College (SIU). 3,358 Career Points — #1 in Illinois HS History. 1,085 Points in Sr. Season (67 points in one game). All-Time leading scorer at SIU with 2,088. Played 5 years in the NBA and 3 years in the ABA with the Pipers, including the 1968 championship.
*George Wilson — Chicago (Marshall) (1958-60)
6'8" Center — 3xAll-State, 2xHS All-American, College (Cincinnati). 2,285 Career Points. Marshall won the state championship in 1958 and 1960. Wilson's career record was 87-6 in 3 years on the varsity. The University of Cincinnati won the NCAA Championship in 1962. Wilson played on the 1964 Olympic team that won the Gold. Drafted in the 1st round and played for 7 years in the NBA.
Paxton Lumpkin — Chicago (DuSable) (1953-54)
6'0" Guard — 2xAll-State (Arguably #1 player in the state in '54). College (Indiana). Averaged 27 points as a senior. Lost to Mt. Vernon in the finals of the state tournament in 1954 (31-2). Lumpkin's DuSable team was 58-5 in his junior and senior year. After 2 years at Indiana, Lumpkin joined the Globetrotters. The DuSable team is remembered for their great play and for their high character. They are still regarded by many as Chicago's favorite high school basketball team.
Ted Caiazza — LaGrange Lyons (1953-54)
6'7" Center — 2xAll-State, HS All-American, College (Illinois). 1,704 Career Points. 30-point average in 1953 state tournament games, which they won. Three-year career record was 71-4.
John Tidwell — Herrin (1957)
6'4" Forward, College (Michigan). All-State, 2nd Team Parade All-American. Herrin won the state tournament in '57. Tidwell averaged 28.3 points as a junior and 31.2 his senior year. The Tiger team was 59-5 his junior and senior seasons. Scored 1,386 points in his career as a Wolverine (20.1 average). All-Big Ten. 4th round draft pick of the Philadelphia Warriors.
The Sleeper Pick
Oliver 'Ollie' Rollins — Carrier Mills (1956) — The Sleeper Pick
My final pick and my "sleeper" pick is a player that did not make any all-state teams. He was 5 years ahead of me in school, so I did not play against him. But everyone from Southern Illinois knew that Oliver 'Ollie' Rollins from Carrier Mills was a great player. He finished his 4-year career in 1956 with 2,362 points. He was 6'3" and about 240 lbs., all man. Carrier Mills won 64 games in the 4 years Rollins played. He definitely is one of the best high school players in the 50s. He passes my eye test. Rollins went straight from high school to play for the Harlem Globetrotters.
*George Wilson belongs in the 1960s decade when he graduated from Marshall. He was a 3xAll-State player, but his graduation year is 1960.
The 1950 State Champion Mt. Vernon Rams
This is a picture of the 1950 State Champion Mt. Vernon Rams. In two years, '49 and '50, they were 60-3. They were voted the best high school team in America. Max Hooper and Walt Moore made All-State. This is the first of my all-decade teams.
1960s All-Decade Team: Illinois High School Basketball Legends
The best Illinois high school basketball players of the 1960s — a decade the author knows firsthand as an All-State player from Galatia in 1962.
I am excited to share the decade of the 60s with you. This is MY decade; I graduated as an All-State player from Galatia in 1962. I have many, many great memories of my playing days in the Greater Egyptian Conference and playing against great players at other schools like McLeansboro, Eldorado, Harrisburg, Sesser, Carrier Mills, West Frankfort, and Benton. So, I can apply the "eye test" as well as statistics and publications as part of my evaluation since I saw almost every one of these players play.
Before I get to my candidates, ten years is a long time, and a lot of outstanding players pass through a state like Illinois in ten years. I want to take a minute and acknowledge some of the great players that I played against that did not make my list. In the GEC there were outstanding players like Jerry Douglas at Cave-In-Rock, Gary Carr and Gary Beavers at Rosiclare, Chuck Cotton and Tom Suttner at Ridgway, Don Bradley, Jim Crayne and Garry Patton from Shawneetown, Mike Titsworth of Pope County, and Bill Moore of Equality. Outside of the conference I played against Jerry Sloan (best high school player I ever played against), Curt Reed, David Lee, Jim and John Burns all of McLeansboro, Steve Kotner and Joe Kingery at Eldorado, Gary Taborn and Marshall Stewart at Carrier Mills, Ed Cannon and Guy Lee Turner of Harrisburg, Bob Brown and Dave Pike from West Frankfort, Tom Whittington, Terry Thomas and Wiley Hall at Benton, Jeff Richey of Crab Orchard (Union) and Don Duncan from Centralia (Murray State). The area known as "Little Egypt" had a lot of outstanding players.
The 1962 All-State Team pictured below features Cazzie Russell and Don Freeman, both of whom made my All-Decade Team.
The All-Decade Team
Jerry Sloan — McLeansboro (1960)
6'4" G/F, College (Evansville). All-State, HS All-American. 1,720 career points and 1,096 rebounds. 710 points as a senior for a 27-point per game average. McLeansboro was 26-3 Sloan's senior year, 19-6 his junior year. Evansville won 2 NCAA college division titles and Sloan was 2xAll-American, averaging 15.7 points and 13.1 rebounds for his career. Drafted by the Bullets but moved to the Chicago Bulls where he made the All-Defensive Team 6 times and was a 2xAll-Star. Finished his NBA career after 11 years with 14.1 points and 7.4 rebounds average. The Bulls retired his jersey as an "Original Bull." Hall-of-Fame as an NBA coach (23 years and 1,221 wins, fourth on the All-Time list).
Don Freeman — Madison (1962)
6'3" G/F, College (Illinois). All-State. Team was 47-6 his junior and senior seasons. Averaged 26 points and 11 rebounds as a senior at Madison. Team was 24-0 and ranked 3rd in the state during his junior year. Freeman averaged 20 points and 10 rebounds a game for his 3-year career playing for the Illini. All-Big Ten. Played in the ABA for 8 years, 5xAll-Star in the ABA, voted to the All-Time ABA Team.
Cazzie Russell — Chicago (Carver)
6'4" G/F, College (Michigan). 2xAll-State, Parade HS All-American, Mr. Basketball USA. 2nd place in the 1962 state tournament. 25.2 points per game average as a senior. Played every position on the court. The Wolverines won 3 consecutive Big Ten Championships and reached the finals of the NCAA in '65. Averaged 30.8 points a game in '66 and named POY. 3xAll-Big Ten, 2xAll-American. Averaged 27 points a game for his 3-year career (2,164 points). #1 overall NBA draft pick by the Knicks. 12 years in the NBA. All-Star team in '72. Championship with the Knicks in '70. Averaged 15.1 points for career in the NBA.
Skip Thoren — Rockford East (1961)
6'10" Center, College (Illinois). All-State, Parade HS All-American. Averaged over 20 points and 10 rebounds a game in his junior and senior seasons (1,145 career points). Lost in the state quarter-final in '61. Team was 47-7 his junior and senior years. At Illinois, Thoren was Big Ten MVP and 2nd Team All-American. Scored 1,164 points (15.7 average) in his career at Illinois and averaged 11.2 rebounds. 4th round draft pick by the Bullets but played in the ABA for 3 years. ABA All-Star team in '69. For his ABA career, Thoren averaged 16.6 points and 13.9 rebounds.
Jim Ard — Harvey Thornton (1966)
6'9" Center, College (Cincinnati). 1966 State Champions (31-2). The 1965 Thornton team finished 4th in the state (28-3). 59-5 in Ard's junior and senior seasons. 20.1 points, 12+ rebounds. 2xMVP in Missouri Valley Conference (averaged 19.5 pts., 15 rebs. senior season). 1st round draft pick. Played 6 years in the NBA. Championship with the Boston Celtics in 1976.
Dan Issel — Batavia (1966)
6'9" Center, College (Kentucky). All-State, Parade All-American. Dan did not start on the varsity team until his junior year. Averaged 25.8 points his senior season with a 26-3 record. Batavia won back-to-back Regionals in his junior and senior years. Averaged over 20 points and 10 rebounds for his career at Kentucky. 3xAll-Big 8. 1969-70 POY. 1970-71 All-Region. 3rd round pick by the Celtics. Played 4 years in the ABA and 9 years in the NBA (averaged 22.4 pts., 9.4 rebs.).
Greg Starrick — Marion (1966 & 67)
6'2" Guard, College (Kentucky/SIU). 2xAll-State, Parade HS All-American. 1,975 career points. 5th all-time in career average in Illinois with a 27.0 average (33.7 in '67). 72 points in a single game. Only player in my top 10 with a losing record in high school (22-26). Played one year at Kentucky and finished his college career at SIU. Career average of 20.3 points and a career .909 FT%.
Tom Parker — Collinsville (1967 & 68)
6'7" Center, College (Kentucky). 2xAll-State, Parade HS All-American. Scored 2,041 points in his career. 12th all-time in Illinois history with a career average of 23.7 points. 1967-68 averaged 32.9 points and 2nd most field goals made in a season in state history. The 1965-68 Kahoks were 107-11. 2xAll-SEC. SEC POY in '71-72. Scored 1,238 points in his career (15.5 average). 660 rebounds in career with the Wildcats. Drafted by the Cavaliers in the 6th round.
Rich Yunkus — Benton (1966 & 67)
6'9" Center, College (Georgia Tech). 2xAll-State, Parade HS All-American. Benton was 61-2 his last two years. Averaged 25.4 points and over 10 rebounds a game in '67. 26.6 points and 11.4 rebounds for his 3-year career at Georgia Tech (2,232 points — still #1 in Tech basketball history). 2nd Team All-American. 3xAcademic All-American. 3rd round draft pick of the Cincinnati Royals.
Les Taylor — Carbondale (1968 & 69)
6'4" C/F, College (Murray State). 2xAll-State, HS All-American. Elite 8 in '69 (25-4). 45-14 record for his junior and senior years. Averaged 29.4 points and 14 rebounds as a senior. Had 38 rebounds in one game against Harrisburg. 2xOVC MVP at Murray State. 21.1 points per game average for his career as a Racer. Nicknamed "Skywalker" for his tremendous leaping ability. Drafted by the Cavaliers. Many high school basketball fans say Taylor was the best player to ever come out of Southern Illinois.
Jim Brewer — Proviso East (1969)
6'8" Center, College (Minnesota). All-State, Parade HS All-American. 1969 Illinois state championship (30-1). Brewer was 59-14 in his career. Averaged over 20 points and 10 rebounds in his junior and senior seasons. Great leaper and defensive player. 2xAll-Big Ten. 1972-73 All-American. Played on the '72 Olympic team. Averaged 12.1 points and 9 rebounds for his 4-year career at Minnesota. 1st round draft pick of the Cavaliers in '73. Played 9 years in the NBA. 2xAll-Defensive Team. Averaged 6 points and 6 rebounds for his career. NBA Championship in '82 with the Lakers.
*George Wilson — Chicago (Marshall) 6'8" Center. I mistakenly listed Wilson with the 1950s decade; he graduated in 1960. Please see his full profile in the 1960s listing.
Brent Browning, Ridgway scores over Jack Sikma, St. Anne, in the '73 state tournament. Ridgway won the Class A title. Browning was an All-State player and an All-GEC player. Browning and Ridgway are featured in my book, The History of the Greater Egyptian Conference. (See books section on this site.) Sikma went on to be a 7xAll-Star in his 14-year career in the NBA.
1970s All-Decade Team: Illinois High School Basketball Legends
The best Illinois high school basketball players of the 1970s — a decade led by legends like Quinn Buckner, Isiah Thomas, Mark Aguirre, Terry Cummings, and Jay Shidler.
1970s All-Decade Team
The 1970s produced an extraordinary collection of Illinois high school basketball talent that shaped college and professional basketball. Here is the complete All-Decade Team:
Quinn Buckner — Dolton Thornridge (1971-72)
College: Indiana | Position: 6'3" Guard
Back-to-back state championships in 1971 and '72 (58 straight wins). Many high school followers consider Thornridge the greatest team in Illinois high school basketball history. 2x All-State (also All-State in football), Parade HS All-American, Mr. Basketball USA in '72. One of only 3 players to win NCAA Championship, Olympic Gold, and NBA Championship. 1,195 points at Indiana (10.4 average), All-Big Ten, All-America. '75-'76 Indiana team was undefeated and won NCAA title with record 108-12. 1st round draft pick. 10-year NBA career, 4x All-Defensive Team, 8.2 career points average, 4.3 assists average. College HOF.
Lloyd Batts — Harvey Thornton (1969-70)
College: Cincinnati | Position: 6'4" Guard
2x All-State, Scholastic HS All-American. 1,600 career points with 29-point average as junior and 35-point average senior year. Scored 885 points his senior year with 50 points in one game. Thornton record was 71-15 during his three years. 1,585 points in career for the Bearcats (20 point average). Played one year in the ABA for the Virginia Squires (10.4-point average).
Terry Cummings — Chicago Carver (1979)
College: DePaul | Position: 6'9" Center
2x All-State, HS All-American. Considered one of the best high school players from the city. 2x All-American at DePaul with 1,398 points and 855 rebounds. '79-'80 Demons were 26-2 and ranked #1 in the nation; '80-'81 team was 27-2 and #1; '81-'82 team was 26-2 and finished #2. Cummings averaged 22.3 points and 11.9 rebounds. 2nd pick in '82 draft by Clippers. 18 years in the NBA with 16.4 point career average and 7.3 rebounds.
Eddie Johnson — Chicago Westinghouse
College: Illinois | Position: 6'7" Forward
All-State, McDonald's All-American. Scored 1,692 points in career at Illinois (14.0 average), All-Big Ten. '80-'81 team was 21-8 and lost in Regionals to Kansas State. 2nd round draft pick by Kansas City Kings. 17-year NBA career with 19,202 points (15.0 point average).
CJ Kupec — Oak Lawn (1971)
College: Michigan | Position: 6'9" Center
All-State, McDonalds All-American. MVP of '71 state tournament even though his team lost by 2 points in the finals to Thornridge. 2,377 points in high school career (23.2 average as senior). Scored 967 points as Wolverine (12.7 average, 8.0 rebounds average for career). All-Academic All-American in football and basketball at Michigan. 4th round draft pick in '75 by the Lakers.
Jack Sikma — St. Anne (1973)
College: Illinois Wesleyan | Position: 6'10" Center
All-State. Sikma played guard his first 3 years in high school (he was 6'1"), then grew to become a center. 4th place in state tournament in '73 (30-3), averaged 23.4 points a game as senior with 11.3 rebounds per game. 3x NAIA All-American with 2,272 points and 1,405 rebounds in career—still records at Wesleyan. 1st round draft pick of Sonics in '77. '79 Sonics won the NBA title. 7x All-Star, All-Defensive team '80-'81. 14-year NBA career with 17,287 points and 10,816 rebounds. One of top 50 NBA players of all time. Hall of Fame.
Jay Shidler — Lawrenceville (1975-76)
College: Kentucky | Position: 6'1" Guard
2x All-State, Parade All-American. 2,183 points in high school career with 1,013 in his senior season (32.6 average). '74 state champions. Lawrenceville was 103-15 in Shidler's career. Scored 193 points in 6 games of state tournament. Considered one of the best shooters in Illinois high school basketball history. Scored 703 points at Kentucky. Wildcats won the NCAA Tournament in 1978.
Mark Aguirre — Chicago Westinghouse
College: DePaul | Position: 6'5" Forward
2x All-State, McDonalds All-American, Mr. Basketball USA. Westinghouse won the City Championship and went to Elite-8 in '78. Westinghouse was 54-7 his junior and senior years. Aguirre scored 2,182 points in his career (24.5 average) and grabbed 706 rebounds at DePaul. 2x All-American, '79-'80 POY. '79 DePaul lost in the NCAA Semi-Finals to Indiana State and beat Penn for 3rd place. 1st draft pick in the '81 draft by the Mavericks. 3x All-Star, 2x NBA Champion ('89 and '90 with the Pistons). 13 years in the NBA with 18,458 career points (20.8 average). Naismith College Hall of Fame.
Isiah 'Zeke' Thomas — Westchester St. Joseph (1978-79)
College: Indiana | Position: 6'2" Guard
2x All-State, McDonald's HS All-American. Runner-up in the state championship in '78. High school team was 57-5 his junior and senior years. Averaged 27 points, 7 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 3.6 steals his senior year. Indiana won the Big-Ten in '80 and '81, NCAA Championship in '81 (Thomas was MVP of tournament). 1980 Olympics. #1 draft pick of the Pistons in '81. 18,882 points and 9,061 assists in 13-year NBA career. 12x All-Star, 5x All-NBA, 2x NBA Champion. Top 50 players of all time. Hall of Fame.
Glenn 'Doc' Rivers — Maywood Proviso East (1978-80)
College: Marquette | Position: 6'4" Guard
3x All-State, McDonald's All-American, Mr. Basketball USA. High school team was 99-13 his 4 years at Proviso. Broke his uncle's all-time scoring record (All-Stater Jim Brewer). Played 3 years at Marquette where he scored 1,234 points and dished out 409 assists. 2nd round draft pick of the Hawks. 13 years in the NBA—one All-Star team, averaged 10.9 points and 5.7 assists. Rivers has coached in the NBA for 27 years and won one NBA Championship. Top 15 coaches in the NBA. Hall of Fame as coach.
Mike Duff — Eldorado (1977)
College: Evansville | Position: 6'7" F/C
2x All-State, Street & Smith HS All-American. Began high school at Shawneetown, then moved to Eldorado. 2,558 points in 4-year career (25.8 average). Scored 1,088 points in '77 (32.3-point average) and 515 rebounds in season, with 47 points in a game. Eldorado finished 3rd in state in Class A in '77 and 4th in '75. Overall high school record was 101-21. Duff signed at Evansville University but tragically died in a plane crash in 1977 that killed 14 players and their coach.
Kevin Stallings — Collinsville (1977-78)
College: Purdue | Position: 6'5" Guard
2x All-State. Holds career assists record at Collinsville (665) and 284 assists in one season (14th all-time). Kahoks were 58-4 his junior and senior seasons, finished 3rd in state tournament in '78. Played one year at Belleville JC where he made NJCAA All-Tournament. Played 3 years at Purdue with 333 points and 189 assists. Stallings has coached 25 years at the D1 level (479-324 record).
Glen Greunwald — Franklin Park East Leyden (1975-76)
College: Indiana | Position: Guard
2x All-State, Parade HS All-American. Scored 2,200 points in career (21.0 average as sophomore, 23 average as junior, 27 average as senior). Only high school player to be selected 4x All-Area by the Chicago Daily News. Teams were 53-2 his last 2 years and ranked #1 in the state. Played 4 years at Indiana but lettered 5 due to an injury. '80-'81 Hoosier team won the NCAA Championship. Drafted by the Celtics. Served as GM for the Raptors and the Knicks.
Nick Anderson
Chicago Simeon (1986)
2x All-State, McDonald's All-American, Mr. Basketball in Illinois. Led Simeon to the state title in '84. Went on to Illinois and the NBA's 1985–86 Final Four run, then a 13-year NBA career with 11,529 points.
1980s All-Decade Team: Illinois High School Basketball Legends
The best Illinois high school basketball players of the 1980s — a decade featuring Nick Anderson, Jamie Brandon, Bruce Douglas, Lowell Hamilton, and more legends.
There is a common thread that I am noticing as I go through with my count down to the 2010 Decade Team. Actually, there are two recurring themes. First, there are so many more great Illinois high school players to choose from. That is largely due to the integration of Chicago schools. Secondly, it is difficult to get accurate stats from many of the Chicago Public schools. There are years missing when it is hard to even get a team record.
I took some liberties and picked 12 players because I can, and because I couldn't decide who to leave off. Quick review for those just joining the group and didn't see my criteria that I explained in my first post. I base my picks on multiple media publications, multiple years on the all-state teams, team success, Illinois High School Association records, Illinois Museum HOF, and overall basketball achievements.
The All-Decade Team
Nick Anderson — Chicago (Simeon) (1985 & 86)
6'6" Guard. 2xAll-State, McDonald's All-American, Mr. Basketball in Illinois. Simeon won the state tournament in '84 (30-1), only lost 3 games '84 thru '86 (84-3). Anderson averaged 20.5 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 5 assists as senior, scored 1,172 points at Illinois in 2 seasons (17 average). All-Big Ten, All-American. '88–'89 Illini went to Final Four and lost to Michigan by 2 points in semi-finals (31-5). 1st round draft pick by Magic. 13-year career in the NBA and finished with 11,529 points (14.4 ave.)
Stephen Bardo — Carbondale (1985)
6'5" Guard. All-State, played on one of best teams in Carbondale history in '85 (23-6), lost in quarter finals at state. Career record for Terriers was 71-14 for 3 years. 19.9 points ave., 9 rebounds, 5 assists his senior year. Played on Final Four team at Illinois in '90. '89 All-Big Ten Defensive Team. 908 career points, 3rd in Illini history with .455 3p%. 2nd round draft pick of Hawks, played 3 years in the NBA.
Kenny Battle — Aurora West (1984)
6'6" Guard. 2xAll-State, McDonald's All-American. Aurora West finished 3rd in state tournament in '84 (31-2), averaged 19.5 points and 11.2 rebounds his senior year at West. 2xMVC, scored over 1,000 points in one season at NIU (20.0 point ave. for 2 years), scored 1,112 career points at Illinois (16.9 ave.). '88–'89 Illini went to Final Four (31-5). 2nd team All-Big Ten in '89. 1st round draft pick of Pistons, played 4 years (4.7 points ave.). Great leaper, participated in Slam Dunk contest.
Jamie Brandon — Chicago (King) (1988, '89 & '90)
6'4" Forward. 3xAll-State, McDonald's All-American, Illinois Mr. Basketball in '90. 4-year starter at King. King won the state tournament in '90 (32-0), played in the Elite 8 game 3 years. He scored 106 points and had 25 rebounds in state tournament games in '90 and scored 100 points and had 26 rebounds in state tournament in '90. King was 116-13 the 4 years Brandon was on the varsity. 3,157 career points (3rd all time in Illinois history), scored 1,055 points at LSU where he played on same team as Shaq.
Russell Cross — Chicago (Manley) (1979 & 80)
6'10" Center. 2xAll-State, McDonald's All-American, Mr. Basketball in '80. Teams were 2nd in state in '79 and won the state tournament in '80. 23.0 points a game and 11 rebounds as senior, scored 1,529 points at Purdue and grabbed 622 rebounds (16.4 points and 6.7 rebound ave. for career). All-Big Ten, top 5 in blocked shots in Big Ten 3 years. 1st round draft pick of Warriors.
Bruce Douglas — Quincy (1981 & 82)
6'3" Guard. 2xAll-State, McDonald's All-American, Mr. Basketball in '82. Douglas played in more high school games than any player in Illinois history (123). Quincy teams were 32-1, 26-3, 33-0, and 32-1 in his 4 year career. They won the state tournament in '81, finished 2nd in '79, and 3rd in '82. 2,040 points in career (709 rebounds, and 643 assists), scored 1,261 points, had 765 assists, and 324 steals at Illinois. All-Big Ten, 2xBig Ten DPOY, drafted in 3rd round by Kings.
Lowell Hamilton — Chicago Providence-St. Mel (1984 & 85)
6'7" Center. 2xAll-State, Parade HS All-American, McDonald's All-American. From '82 to '85 Providence went to the Elite 8, they won the state tournament in '85. Overall team record at 116-14, averaged 20.8 points, 10 rebounds, and 6 blocks his senior season, scored 1,241 points (10 point ave.) in career at Illinois, played in the NCAA tournament all 4 years at Illinois including '88–'89 team that got to Final Four.
Ed Horton — Springfield (Lanphier) (1985)
6'8" Center. All-State, McDonald's All-American, Mr. Basketball in Illinois in '85, scored 2,004 points at Lanphier. Lanphier won the state tournament in '83 and finished 2nd in '85. Had a 3-year record of 76-15, scored 1,372 points (10.4 ave.), 877 rebounds (6.6 ave.) for career at Iowa. 1st in most rebounds in Big Ten with 350 in '88–'89. All-Big Ten '88–'89, scored 32 points in 2nd round NCAA Tournament game in '89 against NC State. Drafted by Bullets in 2nd round in '89, played one year in NBA.
Danny Jones — Rockford Boylan (1985 & 86)
6'5" Forward. 2xAll-State. 3-year starter, Boylan was 85-7, scored 1,556 points and 695 rebounds (2nd most in school history). 4-year starter at Wisconsin, 1,854 points (15.7 ave.), scored 611 points in one season. 2nd Team All-Big Ten, drafted in 4th round but played in Europe.
Andy Kaufman — Jacksonville (1987 & 88)
6'5" G/F. 2xAll-State. 3,160 points in career (948 points in one season at Routt), 31.7 points a game career ave., scored over 50 points in a game 3 times. Team record at Jacksonville was 66-14, scored 1,533 points at Illinois (14.9 ave.), scored 46 points in game against Wisconsin-Milwaukee. All-Big Ten.
LaPhonso Ellis — East St. Louis Lincoln (1988)
6'8" Forward, College (Notre Dame). 2xAll-State, Parade and McDonald's All-American. Lincoln won back-to-back state championships in '87 and '88 (57-5). Scored 27 points and 28 points in each title game with over 10 rebounds. Scored 1,505 points, 1,075 rebounds, and 200 blocks at Notre Dame. 1st round draft pick of Nuggets. 11 years in the NBA. '92–'93 NBA All-Rookie Team. 7,410 points and 4,032 rebounds in NBA career.
Brian Sloan — McLeansboro (1984)
6'8" Center, College (Indiana). Played at Northbrook Glenbrook HS as a soph. 2xAll-State, HS All-American, Class A Mr. Basketball. 1,242 points and 822 rebounds in 2 years at McLeansboro. '84 team was undefeated and won state after finishing 3rd in the state in '83 (66-3). 4-year letterman at Indiana, '86–'87 Hoosier team won the NCAA Tournament.
Frank Williams
Peoria Manual (1998)
3xState Champion (94-5). 2xAll-State, McDonald's AA, Illinois Mr. Basketball. 23 points, 6 assists, 8 rebounds, and 4 steals as senior. Scored 1,440 points with the Illini. 1st round draft pick by the Nuggets.
1990s All-Decade Team: Illinois High School Basketball Legends
The best Illinois high school basketball players of the 1990s — led by Frank Williams of Peoria Manual, the decade's top vote-getter and a three-time state champion under coach Wayne McClain. A stacked decade featuring Mr. Basketball winners, Maywood Proviso East, Chicago King, and Quincy greats.
I have spent many hours researching these 90's players and hope I present the best of the best. My task to find the best seems to be getting more difficult with each decade.
Noticeably absent from my list is Kevin Garnett. His talents are unquestionable, but he came to Farragut as a senior and left for the NBA immediately after his one year there. I "chose" to not include him. Again, as with the 80's, I have gone over the 10-player limit and probably still left someone off that is deserving.
The All-Decade Team
Kiwane Garris — Chicago Westinghouse (1993)
6'2" Guard. College (Illinois). 2xAll-State, 2nd Team Parade AA. Won City Championship in '92, team was 79-15. 22 points and 6.0 assists average as senior. 1,948 points at Illinois (16.6 ave.), led Big Ten in FT% in '95–'96 at .866%. 2xAll-Big Ten.
Tyrone Nesby — Cairo (1994)
6'5" Forward. College (Vincennes CC/UNLV). 2xAll-State, 2nd Team Parade AA. Cairo team was 96-30, finished 3rd in state in '93. Scored over 1,700 points and was a dominating force inside. 2xAll-American at Vincennes. In 2 years at UNLV scored 1,050 points (16.2 ave.) and had 413 rebounds (6.4 ave.). 4 years in the NBA.
Frank Williams — Peoria Manual (1998)
6'3" Guard. College (Illinois). 2xAll-State, McDonald's AA, Illinois Mr. Basketball. 23 points, 6 assists, 8 rebounds, and 4 steals as senior. Manual won 3 state titles (94-5). Scored 1,440 points with the Illini and averaged 4.3 assists for career. 1st round draft pick by the Nuggets. Played 3 years in the NBA.
Ron Fields — Chicago Farragut (1995)
6'3" Guard. Declared for the 1996 CBA and was selected by the LaCrosse Bobcats. Played in Europe and other places overseas. 2xAll-State, 3x Parade All-American, McDonald's AA, Illinois Mr. Basketball. Scored 2,619 points, 32.0-point ave., 12 rebounds ave., 5 assists ave., and 4.5 blocks ave. as senior. Teams were 84-11. Fields suffered a broken neck a week before playoffs and the state tournament in '96 and left school early. Said to have had a 44" vertical.
Sergio McClain — Peoria Manual (1997)
6'4" Guard. College (Illinois). 2xAll-State, Mr. Basketball in '97. Started on team that won 4 state championships (121-11). Scored 841 points at Illinois. Member of '01 Elite 8 team.
Melvin Ely — Harvey Thornton (1997)
6'10" Center. College (Fresno State). 2xAll-State, Parade AA, McDonald's AA, National POY. Thornton teams were 93-4 and finished runner-up to Manual in the state tournament in '95 and '96. Averaged 15.8 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 5.2 blocks as senior. At Fresno he scored 1,519 points and averaged 7.5 rebounds. 2xWAC POY, 4xAll-WAC Defensive Team. 1st round pick of the Clippers. 9 years in the NBA, finished with 1,992 points and 1,215 rebounds. Played on the '07 Spurs Championship team.
Quentin Richardson — Chicago Young (1998)
6'6" Guard. College (DePaul). 2xAll-State, McDonald's AA. Team was 60-3 and won the state tournament in '98. Only player in DePaul basketball history to have over 1,000 points, 500+ rebounds, and 100+ 3's in career. 2xAll-USA Conference, USA POY. Declared for the NBA after his sophomore year and was the Clippers' 1st pick. Played 13 years in the NBA. 8,032 career points (10 ave.).
Mike Robinson — Peoria Richwoods (1996)
6'6" Guard. College (Purdue). 3xAll-State, McDonald's AA, Gatorade POY in the Midwest. Scored 2,944 points. Team was 75-37 during his 4 years. Scored 1,322 points at Purdue. '98 All-Big Ten Tournament.
Juwan Howard — Chicago Vocational (1991)
6'9" Forward. College (Michigan). 2xAll-State, McDonald's AA, Parade AA. 27 points and 10.2 rebounds as senior. Team record 72-19. 1,526 points (15.3 ave.) and 745 rebounds (7.5 ave.) for the Wolverines. 3 straight Final Fours (78-10). All-Big Ten, 2nd Team All-American. 1st round draft pick by the Bullets. 1xAll-Star, 1xAll-NBA. 2xNBA Champ with Heat. 19 years in the NBA. 16,159 points (13.4 ave.) and 7,428 rebounds (6.0 ave.).
Brian Cook — Lincoln (1999)
6'10" Center. College (Illinois). 2xAll-State, Parade AA, Illinois Mr. Basketball. Team was 78-10. 22.0-point ave., 10.2 rebound ave., 3.4 blocks ave. senior year. All-Big Ten, Big Ten POY. 1,748 points (13.2 ave.), 815 rebounds (6.2 ave.). Led Big Ten in scoring in '02–'03 with 599 points. 1st round draft pick by the Lakers. 9 years in the NBA. Scored 2,312 points and had 1,115 rebounds. Father is Norm Cook.
Corey Maggette — Oak Park Fenwick (1998)
6'6" Forward. College (Duke). 3xAll-State, McDonald's AA. Fenwick went to the quarterfinals of state in '98, 77-12 overall record. Played one year at Duke, averaged 10.6 points. All-ACC Freshman Team. Lost to UConn in NCAA Finals. 1st round NBA pick by the SuperSonics. 14 years in the NBA. 13,198 points (16 ave.).
Tom Kleinschmidt — Chicago Gordon Tech (1991)
6'5" Guard. College (DePaul). 2xAll-State, 3xAll-Midwest, McDonald's AA. In the '90 state tournament he scored 125 points (31.2 ave.), 38 rebounds (9.5 ave.), 15 assists (3.8 ave.), and 14 steals (3.5 ave.) and lost to King in the finals. 26-point ave., 11 rebounds, and 7 assists his senior year. Team was 81-9 in his 3 years. At DePaul he scored 1,837 points, 500 rebounds, 300 assists, and 100 steals. 3xAll-Midwest Conference and 1x Midwest POY. Played in the CBA.
Cuonzo Martin — East St. Louis Lincoln (1990)
6'5" F/G. College (Purdue). 2xAll-State. Won 2 state titles and finished 3rd. Scored 198 points in 3 state tournament games in '89. Teams were 80-16. Scored 1,666 points at Purdue. Teams were 90-37 and went to the Elite 8 in '95. All-Big Ten. Won Big Ten in '94 and '95. 2nd round draft pick by the Hawks. Played with LaPhonso Ellis at Lincoln.
Rashard Griffith — Chicago King (1993)
7'0" Center. College (Wisconsin). 3xAll-State, McDonald's AA, Illinois Mr. Basketball. Won state championships in '90 and '93. Team was 148-6. 22.4-point ave., 14.1 rebound ave., 7 blocks ave. his senior season. All-Big Ten Freshman Team (13.9 points and 8.5 rebounds ave.). All-Big Ten as a sophomore (17.2 points and 10.8 rebounds ave.). 2nd round draft pick by the Bucks in '95.
Chris Collins — Northbrook Glenbrook North (1992)
6'3" Guard. College (Duke). 2xAll-State, McDonald's AA, Illinois Mr. Basketball. 32.7-point average as senior. 50% from 3-point line. Team was 55-6 his junior and senior years. 1,091 points at Duke. 2nd Team All-ACC.
Sherell Ford — Maywood Proviso East (1991)
6'7" Forward. College (UIC). 2xAll-State. 23-point ave. and 50% from 3's as senior. State championship in '91. Team record 79-10. 2,012 points and 807 rebounds in his career at UIC. 2xAll-MCC, Horizon League POY in '95. 1st round draft pick of the SuperSonics.
Troy Hudson — Carbondale (1994)
6'1" Guard. College (Missouri/SIU). All-State. 24.1-point average as senior and 7.0 assists. 109 points in 4 games in the state tournament in '94. All-time leading scorer at Carbondale. Team was 52-8 his junior and senior seasons. In 2 seasons at SIU he scored 1,164 points (4th all-time) and led the team in steals both years. 2nd Team All-MVC. Was not drafted but played 11 years in the NBA. 4,673 points, 1,748 assists, and 877 rebounds.
Antoine Walker — Chicago Mt. Carmel (1994)
6'9" Forward. College (Kentucky). 2xAll-State, McDonald's AA, Parade AA. In 2 years at Kentucky he scored 806 points (11.7 ave.) and grabbed 450 rebounds (6.5 ave.). All-SEC, 2xAll-SEC Tournament. '95–'96 NCAA Champion. 6th overall in draft, picked by Celtics in '96. 12 years in the NBA. All-NBA Rookie, 3xAll-Star. NBA Champ with Heat '06. 15,647 points (17.5 ave.) and 6,891 rebounds (7.7 ave.).
Derrick Rose
Chicago Simeon (2007)
2x All-State, 2x Parade AA, McDonald's AA, Illinois Mr. Basketball. 2x State Champion. NBA MVP, Rookie of the Year, 3x All-Star. One of the greatest Illinois players ever.
2000s All-Decade Team: Illinois High School Basketball Legends
From Derrick Rose to Dwyane Wade, the 2000s produced some of the greatest Illinois high school basketball talent ever assembled — here is the All-Decade Team.
2000s All-Decade Team
The 2000s decade produced an extraordinary collection of Illinois high school basketball talent. Here is the complete All-Decade Team:
Derrick Rose — Chicago Simeon (2007)
College: Memphis | Position: 6'3" Guard
2x All-State, 2x Parade AA, McDonald's AA, Illinois Mr. Basketball, USA POY. 2x State Champion — '06 (33-4) and '07 (33-2). 3-year record was 95-11. Averaged 25.2 points, 8 rebounds, and 9 assists as a senior. In one year at Memphis, Rose scored 597 points (14.9 avg), 189 assists (4.7 avg) and finished runner-up to Kansas in the NCAA Tournament (later vacated). #1 pick in the '08 NBA Draft by the Bulls. Rookie of the Year, NBA MVP, 3x All-Star. In 15 years he scored 12,573 points (17.4 avg) and 3,770 assists (5.2 avg). Many consider Rose one of the top 75 players of all-time — without knee injuries he could have been Top 20.
Dwyane Wade — Oak Lawn Richards (2000)
College: Marquette | Position: 6'5" Guard
Averaged 20.0 points and 8 rebounds as a junior, 27 points and 11 rebounds as a senior. Only D1 offers came from DePaul, Illinois State, and Marquette. 2x All-USA Conference, CUSAPOY, All-American. 8x All-NBA, 13x All-Star, 3x NBA Champion. 16 years in the NBA with 23,165 points (22.0 avg) and 5,702 assists (5.4 avg). Top 50 players of all-time. Hall of Fame.
Andre Iguodala — Springfield Lanphier (2002)
College: Arizona | Position: 6'6" Forward
All-State, 2nd Team Parade AA. 2nd in state in '02 (31-2), '01 team was 27-3. Averaged 23.7 points and 8.0 rebounds as a senior. All-PAC 10 at Arizona. 1st round pick by the 76ers in '04. 19 years in the NBA — 13,968 points (11.3 avg), 6,047 rebounds (4.9 avg). 1x All-Star, 4x NBA Champion with the Warriors.
Eddie Curry — South Holland Thornwood (2001)
Position: 7'0" Center | Went straight to the NBA
2x All-State, McDonald's AA, Illinois Mr. Basketball. High school team was 57-6 his junior and senior years, finished 2nd in state in '01. Averaged 22 points, 9 rebounds, and 6 blocks his senior year. 1st round, 4th pick in the '01 Draft by the Chicago Bulls. 11 years in the NBA — 6,820 points and 2,725 rebounds. '12 NBA Champion with the Heat.
Shaun Livingston — Peoria Central (2004)
Position: 6'7" Guard | Went straight to the NBA
Livingston committed to Duke but opted to go straight to the NBA as the #4 pick of the Clippers. Peoria Central won back-to-back state titles in '03 and '04 (62-3). 14 years in the NBA — 5,231 points (4.0 avg), 2,483 assists (3.0 avg). 3x NBA Champion with the Warriors.
Tony Allen — Chicago Crane (2001)
College: Oklahoma State | Position: 6'4" Guard
Played at Butler CC and Wabash CC. Teams were 45-15 at Crane; played in the same backcourt as Will Bynum. Averaged 15.4 points, 5.5 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and had 134 steals at Oklahoma State. '04 team went to the Final Four. 2x All-Big 12, Big 12 POY in '04. 1st round NBA Draft pick by the Celtics. 14 years in the NBA — '08 NBA Champion, 6x All-Defensive Team, 6,654 points and 1,158 steals.
Dee Brown — Proviso East (2002)
College: Illinois | Position: 6'1" Guard
2x All-State, Gatorade POY in Illinois, McDonald's AA, Mr. Basketball. Averaged 25.6 points, 5.5 assists, and 2.9 steals as a senior. East team was 76-12 in his career. Also started at quarterback as a junior and senior. Started 4 years for the Illini — 1,812 points (13.2 avg) and 674 assists (4.9 avg). '05 Illinois team went to the Final Four and finished 2nd. 2x All-Big Ten, 2x 2nd Team All-American. Known as "One Man Fast Break." 2nd round pick by the Jazz; played 2 years in the NBA.
Shannon Brown — Maywood Proviso East (2003)
College: Michigan State | Position: 6'4" Guard
2x All-State, McDonald's AA, Parade AA, Illinois Mr. Basketball. East record 76-11 in 3 years Brown played. Averaged 27.9 points and 7.2 rebounds. Scored 1,183 points (12.2 avg) and 329 rebounds (3.4 avg) at Michigan State. '03-'04 All-Big Ten Rookie, '05-'06 Big Ten All-Defense. 1st round pick by the Cavaliers. 9 years in the NBA — 3,118 points (7.6 avg), 2x NBA Champion with the Lakers.
Julian Wright — Homewood-Flossmoor (2005)
College: Kansas | Position: 6'8" C/F
2x All-State, McDonald's AA, Illinois Mr. Basketball. Teams were 77-16; 2nd place in state in '04 (31-3). Averaged 14.6 points, 9 rebounds, and 6 assists as a senior. All-Big 12, 2x All-Big 12 Tournament. Scored 738 points and grabbed 450 rebounds in 2 years at KU. 1st round pick by the Hornets. 4 years in the NBA.
Jon Scheyer — Northbrook Glenbrook North (2006)
College: Duke | Position: 6'5" Guard
3x All-State, McDonald's AA, Parade AA, Illinois Mr. Basketball. 3,034 career points — including 52 in one game (25 points in 75 seconds). Won state in '06; 110-18 record. Scored 2,077 points (14.4 avg), 522 rebounds, and 440 assists at Duke. 2x All-ACC, '09-10 2nd Team All-American, '10 NCAA All-Tournament. '09-'10 NCAA Champion.
Will Bynum — Chicago Crane (2001)
College: Arizona / Georgia Tech | Position: 6'0" Guard
2x All-State. Averaged 22.0 points and 7 assists as a junior, 27.0 points and 7 assists as a senior at Crane. Teams were 44-15 his junior and senior years. Transferred from Arizona to Georgia Tech — scored 947 points (11.4 avg). All-ACC Tournament Team in '05, '04 NCAA All-Tournament. 8 years in the NBA averaging 8.1 points and 3.4 assists.
Sherron Collins — Chicago Crane (2006)
College: Kansas | Position: 5'11" Guard
2x All-State, McDonald's AA, 2nd Team Parade AA, #4 rated point guard in the country. Averaged 19.8 points and 5 assists as a junior; 33 points, 6 assists, and 8 rebounds as a senior. 47-13 record at Crane. 1,888 points and 552 assists at KU. 2x All-Big 12, '10 Big 12 Tournament MVP. '07-'08 NCAA Champion, '09-'10 2nd Team All-American.
Rich McBride — Springfield Lanphier (2003)
College: Illinois | Position: 6'2" Guard
All-State, Parade AA. 2,067 career points. '01 team was 27-3; '02 team was 32-2 (2nd in state). Scored 817 points at Illinois.
Iman Shumpert — Oak Park River Forest (2008)
College: Georgia Tech | Position: 6'5" G/F
All-State, McDonald's AA, rated #15 nationally as a senior. Teams were 47-10 his junior and senior seasons. Scored 1,166 points (14.2 avg) and 412 rebounds (4.5 avg) in 3 years at Georgia Tech. '10 All-ACC Tournament, '10-'11 ACC All-Defense, '10-'11 All-ACC 2nd Team. 1st round pick by the Knicks, '11-'12 All-Rookie. NBA Champion with the Cavaliers in '16. 10 years in the NBA — 3,320 points (7.2 avg).
Shaun Pruitt — Aurora West (2004)
College: Illinois | Position: 6'10" Center
Started at Providence St. Mel as a freshman; dealt with injuries his sophomore and junior years at West. Senior season the team finished 3rd in state (32-3); averaged 16.5 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 4 blocks. All-State. Scored 1,058 points (8.6 avg) and grabbed 697 rebounds (5.7 avg) for the Illini. '08 All-Big Ten Tournament. Undrafted, played overseas.
Roger Powell — Joliet (2001)
College: Illinois | Position: 6'6" Forward
2x All-State. Averaged 19.0 points and 8 rebounds as a junior; 20.7 points and 10 rebounds as a senior. Teams were 68-19. Scored 1,178 points (9.3 avg) and 531 rebounds in his Illinois career. All-Big Ten Tournament in '03. Played in Europe and the CBA.
Andre Brown — Chicago Leo (2000)
College: DePaul | Position: 6'9" C/F
2x All-State (one year Class A, one year Class AA), McDonald's AA. Leo went 21-6 his senior year. Career totals of 1,146 points (10.7 avg) and 855 rebounds (8.0 avg). Played 3 years in the NBA.
Pierre Pierce — Westmont (2001)
College: Iowa | Position: 6'4" Guard
All-State, Parade AA. 2,931 career points, including 1,164 points in the '00-'01 season (36.6 per game avg). Scored 159 points in 4 state tournament games in '01. '00 team finished 4th in state (28-5); '01 team was 28-2. Scored 1,072 points (12.8 avg) and dished 305 assists (3.5 avg) at Iowa.
Jalen Brunson
Lincolnshire Stevenson (2015)
Illinois Mr. Basketball. State Champions in '15. NCAA Champions with Villanova in '16 and '18. NBA World Champion with the Knicks in '26.
2010s All-Decade Team: Illinois High School Basketball Legends
The best Illinois high school basketball players of the 2010s — led by Jalen Brunson of Lincolnshire Stevenson, Illinois Mr. Basketball and the decade's top vote-getter. An unprecedented era of elite talent from Chicago Simeon, Morgan Park, and Young that launched NBA greatness.
Trying to narrow down the prospects for the All-Decade Team of the 2000's has been the most challenging exercise yet of all the seven decades that I have been researching. I knew it would get more difficult as I moved along from the 50's, but I didn't realize the effort that it would require to give every great Illinois high school player a fair evaluation. Despite my effort I know I have overlooked some worthy players and have probably overlooked someone in this list of the greats of the 2000's. Illinois is a big state and as I have said several times, there are a lot of outstanding high school basketball players from Illinois.
The All-Decade Team
Wayne Blackshear — Morgan Park (2010)
6'0" Guard. College (Louisville). 2xAll-State, McDonald's AA, Illinois Mr. Basketball. 52-12 record his junior and senior season. Scored 1,046 points and had 408 assists in career at Louisville. '14–'15 NCAA All-Region, '12–'13 NCAA Champs. Played in Europe.
Frank Kaminsky — Lisle Benet Academy (2010)
7'0" Center. College (Wisconsin). All-State. 55-5 record in jr. and sr. years. 14-point ave., 9 rebounds, and 4 blocks per game as a senior. Scored 1,458 points (10.1 ave.) and grabbed 666 rebounds (4.6 ave.) for the Badgers. Led the Big Ten in scoring in '14–'15 season with 732 points. 2xAll-Big Ten, Big Ten POY in '14–'15, NABC POY, AP All-American, Consensus AA. Wisconsin lost in NCAA Finals to Duke in '15; Kaminsky averaged 18.1 points in the tournament. 1st round pick by the Hornets. Played 8 years in the NBA, scored 3,630 points (8.4 ave.).
Ryan Boatright — Aurora East (2011)
5'11" Guard. College (UCONN). All-State, Co-Mr. Basketball in Illinois. 31.2-point ave. as senior, scored 63 points in a game. Teams were 63-24. Scored 1,786 points (14 ave.) and had 491 assists (3.8 ave.) at UCONN. All-ACC, All Final Four Tournament in '14 when Huskies won the championship. Played overseas.
Anthony Davis — Chicago Perspectives (2011)
6'10" C/F. College (Kentucky). All-State, Parade and McDonald's AA. Davis was 6'1" as a freshman. Rated #1 high school prospect in the country as a senior. Averaged 26 points and 11 rebounds as senior. Only played one year at Kentucky: 567 points (14.2 ave.) and 415 rebounds (10.4 ave.). 1st pick in the NBA draft in '12 by the Hornets. 13 years in the NBA: 19,385 points (24 ave.), 1,848 blocks (2.3 ave.), 8,673 rebounds (10.7 ave.). 5xAll-NBA, 10xAll-Star, 5xAll-Defensive, 3xBlock Champ, '20 NBA Champ. Top 75 players of all-time.
Jabari Parker — Chicago Simeon (2013)
6'8" Center. College (Duke). 2xAll-State, 2xMcDonald's AA, Illinois Mr. Basketball, Gatorade POY. 4x State Champion. Best player to come out of high school since LeBron James? 32.2-point, 22-rebound, and 7-block average his senior season. Simeon's record for the 4 years Parker was there: 118-15. Scored 670 points (19.1 ave.) and 306 rebounds (8.7 ave.) in one year at Duke. 1st round pick by the Bucks. 8 years in the NBA: 4,380 points (14.1 ave.) and 1,703 rebounds.
Jahlil Okafor — Chicago Young (2013)
6'11" Center. College (Duke). 2xAll-State, Illinois Mr. Basketball, Parade and McDonald's AA, USA POY. Team record at Young 63-24. 20.8-point ave. and 12.1-rebound ave. his senior season. All-ACC, ACC POY, AP All-American. NCAA Champs in '14–'15. Scored 657 points (17.3 ave.) and had 322 rebounds (8.5 ave.) at Duke. 1st round pick by the 76ers. '15–'16 All-Rookie. 7 years in the NBA: 4,308 points and 1,703 rebounds.
Cliff Alexander — Chicago Currie (2014)
6'9" Center. College (Kansas). 2xAll-State, McDonald's AA, Naismith POY. 21.3-point ave., 13-rebound ave., and 5-block ave. his senior season. In one year at Kansas he averaged 7 points and 5 rebounds. Drafted by the Trail Blazers. Played 1 year in the NBA then overseas.
Jeremy Richmond — Waukegan (2010)
6'8" Forward. College (Illinois). 2xAll-State, McDonald's AA, Illinois Mr. Basketball. 21.1-point ave. and 15 rebounds as senior. '09 finished 2nd in state tournament (26-5), 3rd in state in '10 (27-5). Scored 236 points and grabbed 156 rebounds his freshman year at Illinois. All-Big Ten Freshman Team.
Tyler Ulis — Chicago Heights Marian Catholic (2014)
5'10" Guard. College (Kentucky). 2xAll-State, McDonald's AA. 2,335 career points and 533 assists in high school career. Teams were 57-7 his jr. and sr. season. Scored 815 points (11.3 ave.) and had 381 assists (5.3 ave.) for the Wildcats. 2nd Team All-SEC, 2nd Team All-American. 2nd round draft pick by the Suns. Scored 918 points and had 557 assists in 3 years in the NBA.
Billy Garrett — Morgan Park (2013)
6'6" Guard. College (DePaul). 2xAll-State. '13 State Champs. 53-9 record in high school. 17.6-point ave., 8 assists, and 5 rebounds per game as jr. and sr. Scored 1,632 points and had 432 assists at DePaul. Big East Freshman of the Year, '17 Big East Scholar-Athlete of the Year. .882 FT% for career. Drafted by the Knicks. Played 1 year in the NBA before playing overseas.
Meyers Leonard — Robinson (2010)
7'0" Center. College (Illinois). All-State. '10 State Champion. Record 47-15 as junior and senior. Scored 502 points (7.7 ave.) and had 303 rebounds (4.7 ave.) for the Illini. 1st round pick by the Trail Blazers. 10 years in the NBA: 2,549 points and 1,771 rebounds.
Charlie Moore — Morgan Park (2016)
5'11" Guard. College (played at 4 schools). All-State, Illinois Mr. Basketball. Back-to-back state champions in '13 and '14. '15 finished 3rd (25-5). In his career at Morgan Park he scored 2,368 points, had 368 assists, and 303 steals. 11.1 points and 3.9 assists per game for college career. Led Big East in assists in '19 and '20. Led ACC in steals 2 years. '21–'22 All-ACC Defensive Team. Played overseas.
Chasson Randle — Rock Island (2011)
6'1" Guard. College (Stanford). All-State, Co-Mr. Basketball. 2,159 points (22.3 ave.) and 7.7 rebound ave. as senior. '11 State Champion (30-3). Scored 2,375 points and grabbed 773 rebounds in career at Stanford. PAC-12 FOY, 2xAll-PAC 12, 2xAll-PAC 12 Tournament, '15 NIT MVP. Scored 679 points in 4 years in the NBA.
Jordan Goodwin — Belleville Althoff (2016)
6'3" Guard. College (St. Louis). All-State. State Champion in '16 (32-2). Scored 85 points in 4 games in state tournament. School record as jr. and sr. (61-6). Injured the second half of his senior season. Scored 1,460 points (12.8 ave.) at St. Louis. 2xAll-A10, 2xAll-Defensive. 5 years in the NBA: 1,545 points, 516 assists, and 912 rebounds.
Jalen Brunson — Lincolnshire Stevenson (2015)
6'1" Guard. College (Villanova). 2xAll-State, Illinois Mr. Basketball, McDonald's AA. 2,682 career points (21.1 ave.). 160 points in state tournament games in '13, '14, and '15. 56 points in one state tournament game against Young. '13 2nd place (29-5), '14 3rd place (32-2), '15 1st place (30-3). Overall high school record (91-10). Scored 1,667 points at Villanova. 2xBig East Champs. Won NCAA Championships in '16 and '18. 2xAll-Big East, Big East POY, AP AA, Naismith AA, Consensus AA. 8 years in the NBA: 10,748 points (19.2 ave.) and 2,995 assists (3.3 ave.). 3xAll-NBA 2nd Team, 3xAll-Star, '25–'26 Eastern Conference Champ, '24–'25 Jerry West Clutch POY.
Fred VanVleet — Rockford Auburn (2012)
6'0" Guard. College (Wichita State). All-State. Scored 1,314 points at Auburn. '12 team 3rd in state (32-2). Record as jr. and sr. (58-8). At Wichita State he scored 1,439 points (14.4 ave.) and had 632 assists (4.7 ave.). 3xAll-MVC, 2xMVC POY, 3xAll-Defensive Team, 3rd Team All-American. '12–'13 Shocker team went to the Final Four. 9 years in the NBA. 1xAll-Star, NBA Champ with Raptors in '19. Scored 8,204 points and has 3,121 assists in the NBA.
EJ Liddell — Belleville West (2019)
6'7" Forward. College (Ohio State). 3xAll-State, Parade and McDonald's AA, 2xIllinois Mr. Basketball. Back-to-back state championships in '18 and '19. 86-15 record at West. Averaged over 20 points, 10 rebounds, and 3 blocks as a jr. and sr. Scored 1,298 points and had 564 rebounds in 3 years at OSU. 2xAll-Big Ten, 1xAll-Defensive, 3rd Team All-American. 2nd round pick of the Pelicans. 3 years in the NBA.
Ayo Dosunmu — Chicago Westinghouse (2018)
6'4" Guard. College (Illinois). 2xAll-State. 50-15 record in 2 years. '17 State Champs. 25.7-point ave., 7-rebound ave., and 7-assist ave. as senior. Scored 1,504 points at Illinois and had 351 assists. 2xAll-Big Ten, NABC AA, AP AA. 2nd round pick by Bulls. '21–'22 All-Rookie. 5 years in the NBA: 3,878 points, 1,161 assists, and 1,048 rebounds.
