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Top 10 NBA/ABA careers by an Illinois basketball player

By Rees Woodcock

Nov 5, 2013; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Brooklyn Nets point guard Deron Williams (8) advances the ball during the first quarter against the Utah Jazz at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 5, 2013; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Brooklyn Nets point guard Deron Williams (8) advances the ball during the first quarter against the Utah Jazz at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports /
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MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – NOVEMBER 15: The Illinois Fighting Illini logo on a pair of shorts during a college basketball game against the Marquette Golden Eagles at the Fiserv Forum on November 15, 2021 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /

No. 4 Red Kerr

We are hitting the way back machine with this next player. Even though he played in the 1950s, you can’t leave Red Kerr off the list of the greatest NBA players to come out of Illinois.

Kerr entered the college ranks from Tilden High School in Chicago. As soon as he stepped on the floor for the Illini, Kerr was sensational. He would average 18.6 points per game in three seasons, and he made the NCAA All-Tournament and the All-Big Ten team.

After his time in Champaign, Kerr would head to the NBA where he was selected with the No. 6 pick in the 1954 draft by the Syracuse Nationals.

Kerr had a great career over 12 years of playing in the NBA. He would average 13.8 points, 11.2 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game. His best season came in 1958-59 when he averaged 17.8 points, 14.0 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game.

The great numbers that Kerr was able to amass helped him earn three All-Star appearances. He also won the 1955 NBA Championship with the Nationals.

Kerr had a nice long NBA career. He was able to snag three All-Star selections and he was at the pinnacle of the basketball world in 1955. All of these accolades puts Kerr at No. 4 on this list.

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