Early years

The Fighting Illini began play in 1906 with Elwood Brown as their first coach. In 1915, Illinois won their first ever Big Ten title, going 16–0 (and 12–0 in Big Ten play) under coach Ralph Jones. They were retroactively declared champion of that season by the Helms Athletic Foundation and the Premo-Porretta Power Poll. They won two more Big Ten titles in the next nine years, both shared titles. In 1935, they won the Big Ten once again, sharing it with Purdue. They won the Big Ten title five years later in 1942, their first unanimous Big Ten title since 1915.

When duty calls

The Whiz Kids

Prior to World War II breaking out, the Fighting Illini men's basketball program had achieved a status which it had never seen prior. Under the direction of head coach and athletic director Douglas R. Mills, the Illini grouped a team of players, all around 6' 3", into a nearly undefeatable lineup later to be known as "The Whiz Kids". As freshman and sophomores, the 1941–42 Illinois Fighting Illini men's basketball team dominated the Big Ten conference basketball season by posting a 13–2 record, overall finishing with 18 wins and only 5 losses. A starting lineup of freshman and sophomores, Arthur "Jack" Smiley, Ken Menke, Andy Phillip, Ellis "Gene" Vance, Victor Wukovits and Art Mathisen, developed a winning attitude that would maintain for the next 15 years, a time period where the Illini would finish no less than third in the conference for 13 of them. Despite being ranked No. 1 in the nation, the 1943 Illinois men's basketball squad opted not to play in the NCAA Tournament when three of its five 'Whiz Kids' were called to duty in World War II.

Harry Combes era (1947–1967)

Champaign High School basketball coach Harry Combes was hired to succeed Doug Mills as Mills left the position to focus on his duties as the athletic director. Through his first five seasons as head coach, Combes led the Fighting Illini to three NCAA Final Four appearances in 1949, 1951, and 1952.^[2] During his tenure as coach, Combes increased the Fighting Illini's offensive output by changing their style of play. Combes implemented Full-court press defense, causing turnovers at a high rate which translated into Fast break points.^[2]

In 1951, Combes signed the first black player to don an Illinois uniform, 3x All-State point guard Walt Moore of Mount Vernon. Along with teammate and future Illinois standout Max Hooper, Moore led the Rams to back-to-back state championship titles, culminating with a perfect 33–0 record in 1950.

During the 1957–58 season, Mannie Jackson and Govoner Vaughn were inserted into the starting lineup as the first two African-Americans to start and letter in basketball at Illinois.^[3] Combes also oversaw the Illini's move from Huff Hall to Assembly Hall in 1963 and during that same season the Illini won a fourth Big Ten Conference championship under Combes. However, the Illini lost to eventual national champion Loyola (Chicago) in the Elite Eight of the 1963 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament. The following 1964–65 season, saw several upset victories over defending national champion UCLA Bruins and national powerhouse Kentucky Wildcats at Memorial Coliseum in Lexington, Kentucky.^[2]

Lou Henson era (1975–1996)

In 1975, after having taken New Mexico State (and future Illinois assistant coach Jimmy Collins) to the 1970 Final Four, Lou Henson moved to the University of Illinois to replace Gene Bartow, after Bartow left Illinois to replace the legendary John Wooden at UCLA. Henson would lead the Fighting Illini back to their glory after having a number of difficult years following the Illinois slush fund scandal (where Illinois was hit with severe penalties for infractions that other Big 10 schools had in years prior been punished much more leniently (according to Sports Illustrated) at the time). In 21 years at Illinois, Henson garnered 423 wins and 224 losses (.654 winning percentage), and with a record of 214 wins and 164 losses (.567) in Big Ten Conference games. The 214 wins in Big Ten games were the third highest total ever at the time of his retirement. At Illinois, Henson coached many future NBA players, including Eddie Johnson, Derek Harper, Ken Norman, Nick Anderson, Kendall Gill, Kenny Battle, Marcus Liberty, Steve Bardo, and Kiwane Garris.

Lon Kruger era (1996–2000)

After longtime coach Lou Henson's departure, Illinois hired Lon Kruger to fill the vacancy for the 1996 season. Kruger was the 14th head basketball coach in program history. During his four-year tenure he compiled a 59–38 record. He immediately made an impact at Illinois leading them to a 22–10 record and a second round NCAA tournament appearance in his first year. This created excitement because of the ninth-place finish the Illini had taken just before his arrival. Kruger inherited players such as Victor Chukwudebe, Jerry Hester, Kevin Turner, Jerry Gee, Matt Heldman, Brian Johnson, Kiwane Garris and Cleotis Brown. During his four seasons at Illinois, three of which resulted in NCAA Tournament berths, (all three of which saw the Illini eliminated in the 2nd round) Kruger became the only Big Ten coach to successfully sign three consecutive Illinois Mr. Basketball winners, inking Sergio McClain, Frank Williams, and Brian Cook between 1997 and 1999.Several times during his coaching tenure the Illini were predicted to be at the bottom of the Big Ten, however he overcame adversity each time performing far better than expected.

Bill Self era (2000–2003)

Illinois picked Tulsa coach Bill Self from a list of numerous candidates, including popular assistant Jimmy Collins, to succeed Kruger, who moved on to the NBA to coach the Atlanta Hawks. Bill Self was hired to the Illini coaching staff as the 15th head coach in the history of the program. He spent his previous seven years as the head coach of Oral Roberts University and Tulsa University where he compiled an overall record of 129–71. In 2001, his first season at Illinois, Self coached his new Fighting Illini squad to a 27–8 record, a share of the Big Ten title, and a number 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament. That 27-game winning season in Self's first year was the second most winning season in school history at that time. McClain, Cook and preseason Big Ten player of the year Cory Bradford led the Illini to the Elite Eight, where they fell to eventual finalist Arizona in a much disputed contest. The Illini were accused of being overly physical most of the season, especially McClain and pesky guards Sean Harrington and Lucas Johnson (younger brother of former Illini forward Brian Johnson). The '01 Illini team also included Robert Archibald, Damir Krupalija and Marcus Griffin. With mostly the same core, Illinois followed up the season with impressive 2002 and 2003 campaigns, but fell in the Sweet 16 in 2002. He was the first head coach in the Big Ten, since 1912, to lead his team to conference championships in each of his first two seasons. It was also the first time Illinois won back-to-back titles in 50 years. Self, also, had an overall record of 78–24 in his three years as Illinois head coach. Self left for Kansas after the 2003 season.^[4]

Bruce Weber era (2003–2012)

Bruce Weber served as the head coach of Illinois basketball for nine seasons from 2003 to 2012.

After Bill Self left, Illinois AD Ron Guenther hired Weber to coach the Fighting Illini on April 30, 2003. Weber came from Southern Illinois University (SIU) in Carbondale and was touted as a loyal coach, which was valued by the Illinois AD after both Kruger and Self left Champaign with relatively short tenures. In his five seasons as head coach at SIU, Weber took the Saluki program to the top of the Missouri Valley Conference, winning league titles in 2002 and 2003. He posted records of 28–8 and 24–7 in his last two seasons, leading the Salukis to back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances, including a run to the Sweet 16 in 2002 with wins over Texas Tech and Georgia at the United Center in Chicago. His .689 (62–28) winning percentage in MVC play ranked 12th in the long history of the league. Weber earned Missouri Valley Conference Coach of the Year honors following the 2003 season.

Illinois totaled 210 victories under Weber from 2004 to 2012. He ranks third on the Illinois career coaching wins list. He won 67.5 percent of his games while in charge of the Fighting Illini (210–101). Under Weber, the Illini had two Big Ten Championships (2004, 2005), two runner-up finishes (2006, 2009) and seven upper-division finishes.

Illinois had five players selected in the NBA draft under Weber, as Deron Williams (No. 3, Utah Jazz) and Luther Head (No. 24, Houston Rockets) were taken in the first round of the 2005 NBA draft, and James Augustine (No. 41, Orlando Magic) and Dee Brown (No. 46, Utah Jazz) were chosen in the second round of the 2006 NBA draft. Meyers Leonard was chosen 11th by the Portland Trail Blazers in the 2012 NBA draft following Weber's final season. Utah's selection of Williams at No. 3 overall in the 2005 lottery made him the highest-drafted player in Illinois history.

John Groce era (2012–2017)

Coach Groce

John Groce was hired by new athletic director Mike Thomas on March 28, 2012.^[5] In the 2012–13 season the Illini were the 2012 Maui Invitational Tournament champions and later made the 2013 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament, losing their second game. The Illini lost 63–59 to the 2013 ACC men's basketball tournament champions Miami Hurricanes. The Illini spent 8 weeks nationally ranked in the 2012–13 NCAA Division I men's basketball rankings, and for two weeks were ranked as high as 10th in the country.

In 2014, Groce continued Illinois' success in the month of November, improving to 21–0 under Groce and 32–0 overall during the past four seasons. Illinois is the only program in the nation with an undefeated November record dating back to 2011.^[6] The 2014–2015 season was once again disappointing for the Illini. Illinois finished with a record of 19–14, finishing tied for 7th place in the Big Ten with a record of 9–9. The Illini were then beaten in the first round of the NIT.

The 2015–2016 season ended with the fewest total wins in almost 20 years, since the 98–99 Lon Kruger crew won only 14 games. Groce's squad finished with a record of 15–19, taking 12th place in the Big Ten and receiving no post season tournament invitations.

The 2016–2017 basketball season was another disappointing season for the Fighting Illini, as they finished the season at 18–14 and 8–10 in conference, failing to make the NCAA Tournament for the fourth consecutive year. On March 11, 2017, the university announced via press release that Groce had been relieved of his duties as head men's basketball coach. The next day, the team was put into the NIT as a 2-seed. The team was coached during the NIT by interim coach Jamall Walker, making it to the quarterfinals before being eliminated by the University of Central Florida.

Brad Underwood era (2017–present)

On March 18, 2017, Brad Underwood was hired by athletic director Josh Whitman.^[7] Underwood previously coached at Stephen F. Austin from 2013 to 2016, before spending one year at Oklahoma State. In Underwood's first season at Illinois, the team won each of their first five contests. After beginning conference play 0–8, they ended the season with a record of 14–18.

State Farm Center (1963–present)

The State Farm Center(née The Assembly Hall) opened on March 2, 1963, and hosts the home games for the men and women's basketball teams. The architect of the Building was Max Abramovitz, an alumnus. It is internationally known for its unique engineering design. The stadium is the third largest dome in the state of Illinois following only the United Center and All-State Arena. The Illinois High School Association has also taken advantage of its size hosting numerous events including the men and women's state championships, along with the wrestling state championships. The stadium has also recently been named a landmark and joins Wrigley Field as the only two athletic sites on the list.

The stadium has been described as one of the toughest places to play because of the student section dubbed the "Orange Krush". The Orange Krush sits on three sides of the court, including around each basket. It has become customary for the fans of the stadium to wear orange to the games.

Ubben Basketball Practice Complex (1998–present)

The 2-story, 40,000 square foot building is home to the University of Illinois Men's and Women's basketball programs. The facility includes offices, locker areas, weight training facilities and team meeting rooms in addition to the practice basketball courts. The Illinois Champions Campaign was a major catalyst of the $40 million renovation.^[8]

Huff Hall (1925–1963)

Huff Hall is a 4,050-seat multi-purpose arena in Champaign, Illinois, United States. The arena opened in 1925 and was known as Huff Gymnasium until the 1990s. It is named after George Huff, who was the school's athletic director from 1895 to 1935. Huff Hall is home to the University of Illinois Fighting Illini volleyball and wrestling teams. Prior to the opening of Assembly Hall in 1963, it was home to the basketball team as well.

Kenney Gym

Kenney Gym (1905–1925)

Kenney Gym Annex is a 5,000-seat multi-purpose arena which is the practice facility for the Fighting Illini gymnastics team. Prior to the opening of Huff Hall in 1925, Kenney Gym housed the Illinois Fighting Illini men's basketball team. It also was home to the Women's Volleyball program from 1974 until 1989, after which the program moved to Huff Hall in 1990.

National championships

Big Ten regular-season championships

§–Conference co-champions

Big Ten tournament championships

All-time leaders

• Points: Deon Thomas (2,129)
• Assists: Bruce Douglas (765)
• Rebounds: James Augustine (1,023)
• Steals: Bruce Douglas (324)
• Blocks: Nnanna Egwu (201)

Season leaders

• Points: Donnie Freeman (668, 1966)
• Assists: Deron Williams (264, 2005)
• Rebounds: Skip Thoren (349, 1965)
• Steals: Kenny Battle (89, 1989)
• Blocks: Derek Holcomb (86, 1979)

Game leaders

• Points: Dave Downey (53, 1963)
• Assists: Demetri McCamey (16, 2010), Tony Wysinger (16, 1986)
• Rebounds: Skip Thoren (24, 1963)
• Steals: Bruce Douglas (8, 1984)
• Blocks: Derek Holcomb (11, 1978)

Career milestones

Source for all statistical leaders^[9]

Olympians

Year	Player	Event	Country	Medal
1948 London	Dwight Eddleman	High Jump	United States	4th
1992 Barcelona	Jens Kujawa	Basketball	Germany	7th
2008 Beijing	Deron Williams	Basketball	United States
2012 London	Robert Archibald	Basketball	Great Britain	9th
2012 London	Deron Williams	Basketball	United States

International championships

Year	Player	Event	Country	Medal	Ref
1959 Chicago	George Bon Salle	Pan American Games	United States		[11]
1970 Yugoslavia	Tal Brody	FIBA World Championship	United States	5th	[12]
1974 Iran	Tal Brody	Basketball at the 1974 Asian Games	Israel
1974 Puerto Rico	Rick Schmidt	FIBA World Championship	United States		[13]
1979 Mexico	Craig Tucker	Universiade	United States		[14]
1984 Sweden	Jens Kujawa	FIBA Europe Under-18 Championship	West Germany	5th	[15]
1987 Greece	Jens Kujawa	FIBA EuroBasket	West Germany	4th	[16]
1993 Germany	Jens Kujawa	FIBA EuroBasket	Germany		[17]
1997 Sicily	Jerry Hester	Universiade	United States		[18]
1998 Greece	Kiwane Garris	FIBA World Championship	United States		[19]
1999 Spain	Cory Bradford	Universiade	United States		[20]
2000 Brazil	Brian Cook	FIBA Americas Under-20 Championship	United States		[21]
2001 Japan	Brian Cook	FIBA Under-21 World Championship	United States		[22]
2002 Venezuela	Dee Brown	FIBA Americas U18 Championship	United States		[23]
2002 Venezuela	Deron Williams	FIBA Americas U18 Championship	United States		[23]
2003 Greece	Dee Brown	FIBA Under-19 Basketball World Cup	United States	5th	[24]
2003 Greece	Deron Williams	FIBA Under-19 Basketball World Cup	United States	5th	[25]
2007 Las Vegas	Deron Williams	FIBA AmeriCup	United States		[26]
2009 Poland	Robert Archibald	FIBA EuroBasket	Great Britain	14th	[27]
2010 San Antonio	Jereme Richmond	FIBA Americas U18 Championship	United States		[28]
2011 Lithuania	Robert Archibald	FIBA EuroBasket	Great Britain	13th	[27]
2011 Latvia	Meyers Leonard	FIBA Under-19 Basketball World Cup	United States	5th	[29]
2011 Mexico	Kendrick Nunn	FIBA Americas Under-16 Championship	United States		[30]
2012 Lithuania	Kendrick Nunn	FIBA Under-17 Basketball World Cup	United States		[31]
2013 Puerto Rico	Andres Feliz	Centrobasket U17 Championship	Dominican Republic		[32]
2014 Colorado Springs	Andres Feliz	FIBA Americas Under-18 Championship	Dominican Republic		[33]
2015 Greece	Andres Feliz	FIBA Under-19 Basketball World Cup	Dominican Republic	13th	[33]
2015 Toronto	Andres Feliz	Pan American Games	Dominican Republic	4th	[33]
2016 China	Myke Henry	FIBA 3x3 World Cup	United States		[34]
2018 Canada	Ayo Dosunmu	FIBA Americas Under-18 Championship	United States		[35]

Consensus All-American

8 Illini were recognized as consensus first team All-Americans.^[36]

NCAA Men's Basketball All-American

Key to abbreviations:

AP Associated Press, Arg Argosy, Ath Athletic Publications, BN Basketball News, BT Basketball Times, BKW Basketball Weekly, BW Basketball Writers of America, Col Colliers, Con Converse, CSAF Citizens Savings Athletic Foundation, Helms Helms Foundation, INS International News Service, K Kodak, Look Look magazine, MSG Madison Square Garden, NABC National Association of Basketball Coaches, NEA Newspaper Enterprise Association, Omaha Omaha World Newspaper, PM Pic Magazine, SN Sporting News, True True Magazine, UP United Press, W Wooden

1st First Team, 2nd Second Team, 3rd Third Team, HM Honorable Mention

Tal Brody

Brian Cook

Dee Brown

1915 Ray Woods–1st (Helms)

1916 Ray Woods–1st (Helms)

1917 Ray Woods–1st (Helms), Clyde Alwood–1st (Helms)

1918 Earl Anderson–1st (Helms)

1920 Chuck Carney–1st (Helms)

1922 Chuck Carney–1st (Helms)

1937 Harry Combes–2nd (Omaha)

1938 Lou Boudreau–1st (MSG), Louis Dehner–3rd (Con)

1939 Louis Dehner–1st (MSG), 3rd (Con)

1940 Bill Hapac–1st (Helms, Con)

1942 Andy Phillip–1st (Helms), 2nd (PM), 3rd (Con), Jack Smiley–HM (SN), Art Mathisen–HM (SN), Ken Menke–HM (SN, Con), Gene Vance–HM (SN)

1943 Andy Phillip–1st (Con, PM, Helms, SN, AP, UP, NEA, Look,), Jack Smiley–3rd (Con), Art Mathisen–HM (Con), Gene Vance–HM (Con)

1944 Walt Kirk–HM (Con)

1945 Walt Kirk–1st (Helms, Con), 2nd (AM), HM (Con)

1946 Jack Burmaster–HM (SN), Bob Doster–HM (SN)

1947 Andy Phillip–1st (True, NABC), HM (Con), Jack Smiley–3rd (Helms), HM (Con), Gene Vance–HM (Con)

1948 Dwight Eddleman–2nd (AP), 3rd (Con, True), Jack Burmaster–HM (Con)

1949 Bill Erickson–1st (Helms, Col, NABC), 3rd (SN, UP), 4th (Con), Dwight Eddleman–1st (Con), 2nd (AP, UP)

1950 Bill Erickson–HM (Con)

1951 Don Sunderlage–2nd (Helms, SN), 3rd (UP, Con), HM (AP), Ted Beach–HM (Con), Rod Fletcher–HM (Con)

1952 Rod Fletcher–1st (Look, Con, Helms), 2nd (AP, UP, INS, NABC, Col, Ath), John Kerr–HM (AP, UP, Con), Irv Bemoras–HM (UP, Con), Jim Bredar–HM (UP, Con), Bob Peterson–HM (UP)

1953 Irv Bemoras–2nd (Con, Helms, Look), HM (AP), Jim Bredar–2nd (Con, Helms, Look, INS), 3rd (AP), John Kerr–HM (AP, INS, Con)

1954 John Kerr–2nd (Helms), 3rd (Look, AP, UP), 4th (Con)

1955 Bill Ridley–HM (AP, Con), Paul Judson–HM (INS, Con), George Bon Salle–HM (Con)

1956 Paul Judson–2nd (Con), 3rd (NABC, UP, NEA), HM (INS), Bill Ridley–2nd (Con), 3rd (NABC, UP, AP), Bruce Brothers–HM (Con), Harv Schmidt–HM (Con)

1957 Harv Schmidt–2nd (Con), George Bon Salle–2nd (NABC) HM (Con), Don Ohl–HM (AP, Con)

1958 Don Ohl–2nd (Con), 3rd (Helms), Govoner Vaughn–HM (Con)

1959 Roger Taylor–HM (Con)

1960 Mannie Jackson–HM (Con), Govoner Vaughn–HM (Con)

1961 Dave Downey–HM (Con), John Wessels–HM (Con)

1962 Dave Downey–HM (Con), Bill Burwell–HM (Con)

1963 Dave Downey–1st (Helms), 2nd (Con), HM (AP), Bill Small–HM (Con)

1964 Tal Brody–HM (SN, Con), Duane Thoren–HM (Con)

1965 Duane Thoren–1st (Helms), 2nd (AP, Con), 3rd (UPI, BN, NABC), Bogie Redmon–HM (Con), Tal Brody–1st (Helms), 2nd (SN, Con)

1966 Donnie Freeman–1st (Helms), 2nd (Con, BN), HM (UPI), Rich Jones–HM (Con)

1967 Jim Dawson–HM (Con), Dave Scholz–HM (Con)

1968 Dave Scholz–1st (Helms), HM (Con)

1969 Dave Scholz–1st (Helms), 3rd (AP), HM (Con)

1970 Mike Price–HM (Con)

1972 Nick Weatherspoon–HM (Con)

1973 Nick Weatherspoon–1st (CASF, Helms), HM (Con)

1974 Jeff Dawson–HM (Con)

1975 Rick Schmidt–HM (Con)

1977 Audie Matthews–HM (Con), Levi Cobb–HM (Con)

1983 Derek Harper–2nd (AP, Con), 3rd (BN)

1984 Bruce Douglas–3rd (UPI)

1987 Ken Norman–2nd (AP, BW, SN, K), 3rd (BT, NABC), HM (UPI)

1988 Nick Anderson–HM (SN), Kenny Battle–HM (SN)

1989 Nick Anderson–HM (AP, UPI, SN), Kenny Battle–HM (AP, UPI, SN), Kendall Gill–HM (SN)

1990 Kendall Gill–1st (UPI), 2nd (BKW), 3rd (AP, SN, NABC)

1994 Deon Thomas–HM (AP)

2001 Frank Williams–1st (W), 3rd (AP, NABC), Cory Bradford–HM (AP)

2002 Frank Williams–2nd (NABC) HM (AP)

2003 Brian Cook–2nd (SN), 3rd (AP, NABC, BT)

2004 Dee Brown–HM (AP)

2005 Dee Brown–1st (W, BW, SN) 2nd (AP, NABC, BT), Luther Head–2nd (AP, NABC, BW), Deron Williams–1st (W), 2nd (NABC, SN), 3rd (AP)

2006 Dee Brown–2nd (AP, BW, NABC)

2021 Ayo Dosunmu–1st

2021 Kofi Cockburn–2nd

2022 Kofi Cockburn–1st

Jordan Brand Classic

Why is a player having played in a HS tournament relevant? This article is excessively long. Remove this section? Comment made March 26 '22.

The following 4 Jordan Brand Classic participants have played for Illinois:^[37]

Nike Hoop Summit

Why is a player having played in a HS tournament relevant? This article is excessively long. Remove this section? Comment made March 26 '22.

The following 4 Fighting Illini have played in the Nike Hoop Summit:

McDonald's All-Americans

Why is a player having played in a HS tournament relevant? This article is excessively long. Remove this section? Comment made March 26 '22.

The following 13 McDonald's All-Americans have played for Illinois:^[38]

Mr. Basketball

The following 15 Mr. Basketball award winners have played for Illinois:

First round NBA draft picks

Fighting Illini in the NBA

Fighting Illini in the NBA G League

Fighting Illini playing internationally

Position	Name	Height	Weight (lbs.)	Hometown	Years with Illinois	Professional Team	Country
PF	Leron Black	6'7"	220	Memphis, Tennessee	2014–2018	Abejas de León	Mexico[40]
C	Brian Carlwell	6'11"	265	Maywood, Illinois	2006–2008	Mandurah Magic	Australia[41]
PF/C	Nnanna Egwu	6'11"	250	Chicago, Illinois	2011–2015	Earth Friends Tokyo Z	Japan[42]
G/F	Myke Henry	6'6"	230	Chicago, Illinois	2011–2013	Pallacanestro Trieste	Italy[43]
SG	Kendrick Nunn	6'2"	190	Chicago, Illinois	2013-2016	Panathinaikos B.C.	Greece[44]
G	Rayvonte Rice	6'5"	234	Champaign, Illinois	2013–2015	Soles de Mexicali	Mexico[45]
SG	Jamar Smith	6'3"	185	Peoria, Illinois	2006–2007	BC UNICS	Russia[46]
SF	Matic Vessel	6'9"	215	Ljubljana, Slovenia	2018	KK Škofja Loka	Slovenia[47]

Fighting Illini currently coaching

Fighting Illini basketball media members

All-Century Team

In 2004, during the celebration of the program's 100th year of basketball as a varsity sport, the University of Illinois Division of Intercollegiate Athletics announced its All-Century Team. The 20-man team was selected after online voting by fans and the Illinois Basketball Centennial Committee. The honorees were feted during the Illinois Basketball Centennial Reunion Weekend, Jan. 28–30, 2005.^[48]

Honored jerseys

The University of Illinois has honored its most decorated basketball players in school history by hanging a banner with their name and number from the rafters of State Farm Center. A total of 34 men's players have their jersey honored. To have his jersey honored, a player must have met one of the following criteria:

• National Player of the Year
• Enshrined in the National Basketball Hall of Fame
• Member of an American Olympic team
• Big Ten Player of the Year
• First- or second-team Consensus All-America
• Illinois All-Century Team Member
• Individual whose pioneering efforts made a significant impact on Illinois and international basketball

No.	Player	Pos.	Career	National POY	National HOF	US Olympian	Big Ten POY	Consensus All-American	Illinois All-Century (voted 2004)	Basketball Pioneer
1	Ray Woods	G	1915–17	Y					Y
2	Chuck Carney	F	1920–22	Y					Y
19	Bill Hapac	F	1938–40					Y
47	Andy Phillip	F	1942–43, 1947	Y	Y		Y		Y
25	Gene Vance	G	1942–43, 1947						Y
14	Walt Kirk	G	1942–43, 1947					Y
40	Dwight "Dike" Eddleman	F	1947–49			Y	Y		Y
33	Bill Erickson	G	1947–50					Y
11	Don Sunderlage	G	1949–51				Y
37	Rod Fletcher	G	1950–52				Y
22	Johnny "Red" Kerr	C	1952–54				Y		Y
35	Govoner Vaughn	F	1958–60							Y
30	Mannie Jackson	G	1958–60		Y					Y
23	Jerry Colangelo	G	1960–62		Y
40	Dave Downey	F	1961–63						Y
35	Duane "Skip" Thoren	C	1963–65						Y
12	Tal Brody	G	1963–65							Y
15	Donnie Freeman	F	1963–66					Y
24	Jim Dawson	G	1965–67				Y
12	Nick Weatherspoon	F	1971–73						Y
33	Eddie Johnson	F	1978–81						Y
12	Derek Harper	G	1981–83						Y
25	Bruce Douglas	G	1983–86						Y
33	Ken Norman	F	1985–87					Y	Y
33	Kenny Battle	F	1988–89						Y
25	Nick Anderson	F	1988–89						Y
13	Kendall Gill	G	1987–90					Y	Y
25	Deon Thomas	F/C	1991–94						Y
20	Frank Williams	G	2000–02				Y		Y
34	Brian Cook	F	2000–03				Y		Y
4	Luther Head	G	2002–05					Y
5	Deron Williams	G	2003–05			Y		Y
11	Dee Brown	G	2003–06	Y			Y	Y
11	Ayo Dosunmu	G	2019-21					Y

Dike Eddleman Award

The University of Illinois Athlete of the Year was first awarded in 1940. The award was annually given to a male student-athlete until it was discontinued in 1973. Revived in 1983, the University of Illinois now recognizes both male and female athletes who have distinguished themselves in athletic achievement. In 1993, the awards were named in honor of former Olympian Dwight "Dike" Eddleman, who participated in basketball, football and track and field in 1943 and 1946–49, earning a combined 11 varsity letters during that timeframe.^[49] The following list includes Illini basketball players who earned the award.

Big Ten Medal of Honor

Since 1915, the Big Ten Medal of Honor has been awarded annually at each conference school to a male and female senior student-athlete who demonstrates proficiency in scholarship and athletics. The award has become the top annual award the University of Illinois Division of Intercollegiate Athletics bestows.^[50] The following list includes Illini basketball players who earned the award.^[51]

NCAA Tournament seeding history

The NCAA began seeding the tournament with the 1979 edition.

NCAA tournament results

The Fighting Illini have appeared in the NCAA tournament 33 times. Their combined record is 41–32.

NIT results

The Fighting Illini have appeared in the National Invitation Tournament (NIT) seven times. Their combined record is 10–7.

Men's basketball records at Kenney Gym and Huff Hall

Notes:

• *Denotes incomplete or partial records.
• **Played 9 games at Huff Hall but played final 2 games at Assembly Hall.
• (N/R) denotes no records^[52]