1980s All-Decade Team: Illinois High School Basketball 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.