Top 10 greatest Illinois basketball transfer portal additions of all time

4. Ken Norman

The 1988-89 Flyin’ Illini team was special, but players like Ken Norman walked so that team could run. Illinois built a brand in the 1980s, and Norman was a huge part of that brand.

Norman started his collegiate career off with Wabash Valley Community College. After one season in the junior college ranks, Norman transferred out and ended up with Illinois.

This clearly was a great move for the dominant forward. He averaged 7.8 points and 3.7 rebounds per game for an Illinois team that won 26 games and got to the Sweet 16 in 1986.

Despite a disappointing second-round exit the following season, Norman upped his numbers greatly. He averaged 16.4 points and 7.1 rebounds per game.

In 1986-87, Illinois had another great team. We got back to the NCAA tournament as a No. 3 seed only to be upset in the first round against No. 14 Austin Peay. Yes, upsets happened long ago as well. Norman was a star on this team, though. He averaged 20.7 points, 9.8 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.5 blocks, and 1.2 steals per game.

Norman had a great career. His numbers during his senior year show that he was one of the greatest players to come through the Illinois program. We were also a top-four seed in the NCAA tournament all three years he was in Champaign.

I thought about putting Norman higher on this list because of the longevity, but I think No. 4 is the right spot for this great forward.