Illinois Basketball: Illini McDonald’s All-American History

The Illinois basketball team had a good run of McDonald’s All-Americans through the 80’s and 90’s.

Next: 1980: Derek Harper

Things slowed down for the Illini once the 2000’s hit but hopefully times are changing and John Groce will bring in a few players in the next couple years.

Illinois had a tradition of nabbing some of these great players.  They were a recruiting powerhouse and were a national contender almost every season.

There have been a total of 13 McDonald’s All-Americans pass through the doors into the State Farm Center, once called Assembly Hall.

I expect this tradition to get back going again, but for now we can see what great players have once donned that All-American jersey.

Here is the list of the 13 Illinois basketball players who were McDonald’s All-Americans.