Final Top 25 National Rankings
See who finished where in the final MaxPreps Xcellent 25 national boys basketball rankings.
Who is Illinois' best? You vote, you decide.
Below are our nominees (and a poll for you to vote on) for Illinois' top high school boys basketball player - ever. National players of the year, multiple Mr. Basketballs, NCAA National Champions and NBA MVPs, All-Stars and World Champions. Illinois' impact on hoops history is prominent and distinguished. So too are the careers of those listed below. Which one takes the top spot?
Jabari Parker, the state's first two-time Mr. Basketball, led Simeon to four state titles and 118 wins.
Photo by John Rowland
Illinois' Top All-Time High School Boys Basketball Player
* Nick Anderson, Prosser (Chicago) and Simeon (Chicago) – 1982-1986Averaged 19 points as a freshman and 28 points as a sophomore at Prosser before transferring to Simeon. Averaged 20.5 points, 10.5 rebounds, five assists and four blocks as a senior en route to being Illinois’ Mr. Basketball and a McDonald's and Parade All-American. Went to Illinois where he was part of the school’s famed”‘Flyin Illini” teams. Drafted 11th overall in the 1989 NBA Draft by the Orlando Magic. Had a 13-yeard NBA career.
* Mark Aquirre, Westinghouse (Chicago) – 1974-1978After leading Westinghouse to its first city championship game in 1977 as a junior, he led the Warriors to their first title a year later when he was named Mr. Basketball USA and a McDonald's All-American. Went to DePaul where he was a two-time first team All-American and player of the year. Drafted No. 1 overall by the Dallas Mavericks in the 1981 NBA Draft. Was a two-time World Champion (with Detroit’s “Bad Boys” clubs – 1989 and 1990) and three-time NBA All-Star. Spent 14 years in the NBA.
* Jamie Brandon, King (Chicago) – 1986-1990Four-year starter, three-time all-state player and Illinois’ third all-time leading scorer (3,157) helped King finish state runner-up (freshman), third place (junior) and state champion (1990) during his run. Illinois Mr. Basketball and a McDonald's All-American as a senior when King finished 33-0. Went to LSU.
* Dee Brown, Proviso East (Maywood) – 1998-2002Two-time first team all-state selection was Illinois Mr. Basketball and a McDonald’s All-American as a senior after averaging 25.6 points, 5.5 assists and 2.9 steals per game. Averaged 19 points, eight assists, five rebounds and five steals per game as a junior. Graduated as school’s all-time leader in scoring and the state’s all-time leader in steals (499). Ranks fourth in state history in assists (827). Went to Illinois where he was a two-time All-American and the Sporting News College and Big Ten player of the year in 2005. Drafted in the second round of the 2006 NBA Draft by the Utah Jazz.
* Quinn Buckner, Thornridge (Dolton) – 1968-1972Led Thornridge to a combined record of 64-1, 58-straight wins and back-to-back state championships in 1971 and 1972. The 1972 team finished 33-0 and is considered one of the best teams in state history. Had 28 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists in the 1972 title game – a 104-69 win over Quincy. Two-time Parade All-American went to Indiana where he was a member of the Hoosiers undefeated 1976 NCAA title team. After winning a Gold Medal in the 1976 Olympics, played 10 seasons in the NBA where he won a World Championship with the Boston Celtics (1984).
* Kevin Garnett, Farragut (Chicago) – 1995Only played one year in Illinois, but it was a remarkable ride. Enrolled at Farragut as a senior after spending first three years at Mauldin High School in South Carolina where he was a first team Parade All-American as a junior. Averaged 25.2 points, 17.9 rebound, seven assists and six blocks as a senior when he led Farragut to a 28-2 record and was named Mr. Basketball USA, Illinois Mr. Basketball and Parade All-American. Had 18 points, 11 rebounds, four assists and three blocks en route to being named MVP of the McDonald’s All-American game. Finished high school with 2,533 points, 1,809 rebounds and 737 blocks. Entered 1995 NBA Draft after his senior season and was chosen No. 5 overall by the Minnesota Timberwolves (first player drafted directly out of high school in 20 years). Over a 22-year NBA career was league MVP (2004), World Champion (2008) and a 15-time all-star.
* Jabari Parker, Simeon (Chicago) – 2009-2013Advertised as "The Best High School Basketball Player Since LeBron James" on the cover of Sports Illustrated, led team to four state titles and 118 wins over four years. Averaged 19.4 points, 9.8 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 2.7 blocks as a junior and senior. Named the Gatorade National Player of the Year as a junior and the MaxPreps and Morgan Wooten national player of the year as a senior. Illinois first two-time Mr. Basketball winner finished with 1,870 career points. Went to Duke where he was a first team All-American in his only season. Drafted No. 2 overall in the 2014 NBA Draft by the Milwaukee Bucks. Currently a member of the Sacramento Kings.
* Derrick Rose, Simeon (Chicago) – 2003-2007Three-time Parade All-American led Simeon to two state titles (junior and senior) and a 96-11 record in his three years as a starter. Was named Illinois Mr. Basketball and McDonald’s All-American as a senior when he averaged 25.2 points, 9.1 assists, 8.8 rebounds and 3.4 steals. Went to Memphis, where he was an All-American and led the Tigers to the NCAA championship game in his lone season. No. 1 overall pick in the 2008 NBA Draft by the hometown Chicago Bulls. NBA Rookie of the Year (2009), NBA Most Valuable Player (2011) and three-time all-star is currently a member of the Detroit Pistons.
* Cazzie Russell, Carver (Chicago) – 1958-1962Averaged 25 points per game as a senior when he was named Mr. Basketball USA (1962). Capped career with 24 points and 15 rebounds in 49-48 loss to Decatur in the 1962 state final. Went to Michigan where he was a two-time first team All-American and the national player of the year in 1966. Was the No. 1 overall pick in the 1966 NBA Draft by the New York Knicks. Played 12 seasons in the NBA, winning an NBA championship in 1970 (with NY).
* Doc Rivers, Proviso East (Maywood) – 1976-1980Three-time all-state selection led Proviso East to a 99-13 record in four years and was Mr. Basketball USA (1980) and a McDonald’s All-American as a senior. Went to Marquette. Drafted in the second round of the 1983 NBA Draft by the Atlanta Hawks. After 14-year NBA career, became successful NBA coach who the league’s Coach of the Year honor in 2000 (Orlando Magic) and a World Championship in 2008 (Boston Celtics). Currently head coach of the Los Angeles Clippers.
* Isiah Thomas, St. Joseph (Westchester) – 1975-1979McDonald's and Parade All-American was Mr. Basketball USA runner-up in 1979. Led the Chargers to state finals as a junior in 1978. Scored 26 points in a memorable 63-60 quarterfinal win that postseason over Westinghouse and it’s star Mark Aguirre (scored 28). Went to Indiana where he was a first team All-American and led the Hoisers to the 1981 NCAA title. Drafted No. 2 overall in the 1981 NBA Draft by the Detroit Pistons. During a 14-year NBA career (all with Detroit), he won two World Championships (1989 and 1990) and a 12-time All-Star. Ranks among the NBA’s Top 10 players in Assists. Inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2000.
* Charles “Chico” Vaughn, Egyptian (Tamms) – 1954-1958Illinois all-time leading scorer (3,358 points) averaged 32 points per game over his career and led Tamms to regional titles in 1957 and 1958. Went to Southern Illinois where he ended as the program’s all-time leading scorer (2,088 points). Drafted in the fourth round of the 1962 NBA Draft by the St. Louis Hawks. Won an a ABA title in 1968 (with the Pittsburgh Pipers).
