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Illinois Basketball: Illini McDonald’s All-American History

By Rees Woodcock

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Jan 25, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Detailed view of Nike basketballs on a rack before a game between the Boston College Eagles and Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at McCamish Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 25, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Detailed view of Nike basketballs on a rack before a game between the Boston College Eagles and Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at McCamish Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /

Next: 1989: Deon Thomas

The year after Anderson made the McDonald’s All-American team in 1986, Illinois followed up with another great high school player.

Marcus Liberty was a member of the 1987 McDonald’s All-American team.  He was the high school player of the year in the country and he was going to be an Illini.

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Despite not being able to play his first year because of his entrance exam scores, Liberty really was a big part of the Final Four team the following year.

Liberty averaged 8.4 PPG and 3.9 APG in the 36 games he played that season.

The following season would be the final for Liberty.

In the 1989-90 he averaged 17.8 PPG and 7.1 RPG.  This helped lead Illinois to the tournament once again, this time as a No. 5 seed.

Despite the great talent on this team, they were ousted in the first round by Dayton.

Liberty would declare for the NBA Draft after that season.  With the 15th pick in the second round of the 1990 NBA Draft, the Denver Nuggets selected Liberty.

While Liberty’s stint with the Illini was short it was still extremely successful.

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