Illinois basketball legend Dave Downey died on Saturday at the age of 84. Downey played for the Illini from 1960 to 1963 and left the program as its all-time leading scorer and leading rebounder. Downey now sits at 25th and 10th on those lists, respectively. His career scoring average (18.9) and rebounding average (11.0) also both remain ranked in the top 10 in Illini history. Downey was also a Big Ten Medal of Honor recipient during his senior year.
The Canton, IL native chose to play at Illinois after leaving his mark on Canton High School, where he was an all-state player his junior and senior year. During his time as an Illini, Downey was a three-time team MVP and led the Illini to the Big Ten Championship and an Elite Eight appearance in 1963. Illinois ultimately fell to Loyola, 79-64, and Downey led Illinois with 20 points.
Also in 1963, Downey was named to the All-American first team as well as the All-Big Ten first team while averaging 19.7 points per game. Famously, Downey still holds the record for the most points in a single game by an Illini on Feb. 16, 1963, against Indiana with 53.
“I got to know Dave in my nine years here,” said current Illinois head coach Brad Underwood. “Obviously one of the first things I look at when I walk into State Farm Center every day for practice, before every game is Club 53. The significance of that not only is the single game scoring record, but just what an impactful person he was in this program.”
After leaving Illinois, the San Francisco Warriors drafted Downey, but he decided against playing in the NBA to pursue a career working in insurance in Champaign. In 2004, Downey joined the Illinois Basketball All-Century Team to honor his stellar career at Illinois. His No. 40 jersey now hangs in the rafters at State Farm Center after he joined the Illinois Basketball Honored Jerseys Program in 2008. Finally, in 2018, Downey joined the Illini Athletics Hall of Fame.
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Earlier this month, on Dec. 5, Downey returned to Canton High School, where his high school honored him with his name on the court of Alice Ingersoll Gym.
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