Since I joined this group (Illinois High School Basketball History) about a month ago there has been a lot of talk AND a lot of lists about the best high school basketball players to play in the state. As a former All-State player and a high school coach in the southern part of the state, I have enjoyed hearing from some of you basketball “historians”. (some might call you just “old fans”) I haven’t lived in Illinois since I graduated from Galatia High School, (except for the 3 years I coached at Salem HS) but it is still home and I am glad to see so much interest in preserving the rich history of high school basketball in the state. I commented about one of the post that listed the top 300 players to ever play in the state. I admire the effort and the courage to even attempt such a feat. I spent 10 months doing research and collecting information for my book, “The G.O.A.T.: The Quest to Find the Best”, about the Top 75 greatest basketball players of all time. So I can identify, it was a challenge to say the least. I mention that as a segue to my point for this post. Among my 75 all-time greatest players there are four from the state of Illinois. I understand there is a huge difference between outstanding high school players and great NBA players. But I believe that any list of the best high school players to ever come out of the state would be incomplete without these great players; George Mikan (1940’s) #24 in my book, Dan Issel (1960’s) #64, Isiah Thomas (1980’s) #32, and Dwyane Wade (1990’s) #28. There have been so many great players besides these four. Having said that, here is a picture of two of the greatest to ever play in Illinois, Cazzie Russell and Don Freeman. This picture is from the March,1962 Champaign News-Gazette. It is one of the most prized possessions that I have on the wall in my “mancave”. It was an honor to be on the same team with them.