While players from Chicagoland’s Cook County may have dominated the headlines throughout the majority of Fighting Illini men’s basketball history, fans from right here in Champaign County should not disregard the contributions that its own native sons have provided.
A total 20 players from Champaign, Urbana, Royal, Tolono and Mahomet have earned varsity letters since the sport began at the University of Illinois in 1905.
Royal’s Rick Schmidt, who starred at St. Joseph-Ogden, is the only Champaign County native who ranks among Illinois’ top-50 career scorers. From 1972-75, Schmidt scored a total of 1,105 points, averaging more than 20 points per game as a junior and senior.