Hall of Fame
Urban legend known to all as "Billy The Kid." Billed on Slam magazine cover (December, 1998) as "The Best Playground Baller Ever." Featured prominently in celebration of inner city game at DuSable Museum of African American History and in "Soul of the Game" display at Field Museum in Chicago (1998). Most prolific scoring guard and second NBA draft pick in Northern Illinois history. Scouted personally by Boston Celtics' Red Auerbach. Picked in seventh round by Chicago Bulls (1973). Signed as free agent with ABA San Diego Conquistadors (7.8 ppg. in 76 games in 1974-75). Completed career No. 3 on all-time NIU scoring list (1,331 points in 72 games and 18.2 ppg. average in 1970-73). Named on All-Time Chick Evans Field House (1997) and All-Century (2000) teams. Inducted into Chicago Public League Basketball Coaches Association (1994) and Illinois Basketball Coaches Association (2002) halls of fame. Played on U.S. AAU quintet in first World Games Basketball Festival in Peru (May, 1973). Holds school mark for back-to-back scoring games (77 points) with 35 vs. Long Beach State in Madison Square Garden and career-high 42 vs. Virginia Commonweath (1972-73). Ranked No. 22 in NCAA Division I scoring (24.1 ppg.), plus made First-Team Basketball Weekly All-District Four and Honorable Mention All-America on 17-8 club as senior. No. 3 scorer (17.8 ppg.) on 21-4 Hall of Fame unit that upset No. 5 Indiana and cracked AP Top 20 as junior. Hit 32 points vs. Indiana as soph. All-City and All-State at Dunbar High.
