Dave Downey

David John Downey (October 28, 1941 – December 27, 2025) was an American collegiate basketball player for the University of Illinois Fighting Illini basketball team. He is best known for setting the Illinois single-game scoring record with 53 points at Indiana on February 16, 1963.

Downey's 18.9 career scoring average ranks fourth in school history while his 11.0 career rebounding average ranks third, with his 790 career rebounds ranking seventh on the career list. Downey earned the 1963 Big Ten Conference Medal of Honor for excellence in both academics and athletics. He was drafted into the NBA in 1963 by the San Francisco Warriors but never played a game in the league.

He was elected to the "Illini Men's Basketball All-Century Team" in 2004.

Downey was the leading scorer for his hometown high school, Canton High School. His record was then broken by Kevin Rhodes. When asked about this accomplishment, Downey simply said, "It was only a matter of time until Kevin Rhodes broke my record."

Downey died on December 27, 2025, at the age of 84.

Honors

Basketball 1961 – Team MVP 1961 – 2nd Team All-Big Ten 1961 – Honorable Mention All American 1962 – Team MVP 1962 – 2nd Team All-Big Ten 1962 – Honorable Mention All American 1963 – Team MVP 1963 – 1st Team All-Big Ten 1963 – Honorable Mention All American 1963 – Big Ten Medal of Honor recipient 1963 – NCAA All-Regional Team 1973 – Inducted into the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association's Hall of Fame as a player. 2004 – Elected to the "Illini Men's Basketball All-Century Team". 2008 – Honored jersey which hangs in the State Farm Center to show regard for being the most decorated basketball players in the University of Illinois' history. 2018 – Inducted into the Illinois Athletics Hall of Fame

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