CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WAND) — Illinois basketball great Dave Downey died Saturday. He was 84.
Downey was from Canton, Illinois. He was a three-time team MVP for the Illini from the 1961-1963 seasons, leading the team in scoring and rebounding all three years.
Downey holds the program single-game scoring record, scoring 53 points at Indiana in 1963. He finished his career as Illinois' all-time leading scorer and rebounder at the time.
Downey was selected to the Illinois Basketball All-Century Team, is a member of the Illinois Basketball Honored Jerseys program and was inducted to the Illinois Athletics Hall of Fame in 2018.
More Coverage:
How to Watch | Illinois shooting for 9th win against Tennessee in Music City Bowl
EXCLUSIVE: 1-on-1 with Bret Bielema ahead of Music City Bowl
Former Illini All-American Witherspoon selected to third straight Pro Bowl
Copyright 2025. WAND TV. All rights reserved.
