USA TODAY Sports is honoring the 250 greatest American sports figures of all time, and within that pantheon the Peoria region shines with a remarkable lineage of basketball talent. The USA TODAY Network has turned its spotlight on the high school athletes who not only excelled on the court but also shaped the fabric of their community.
The Making of a Basketball Powerhouse
The top ten boys basketball players from Peoria, Illinois, represent a generation that defined the sport locally and left an imprint on college and professional ranks. From Doug Altenberger’s 55‑point finale that secured the Mid‑State 10 scoring title, to Shaun Livingston’s back‑to‑back Class AA state championships and his designation as Illinois Mr. Basketball, each name carries a story of perseverance and excellence.
David Booth helped steer the Rams to three straight Class AA state finals, while A.J. Guyton earned the 2000 Big Ten Player of the Year honor and first‑team all‑American recognition. Sergio McClain stands alone as the only four‑year starter in IHSA history with a perfect postseason record, and Howard Nathan broke new ground as the first Peoria native to be crowned Illinois Mr. Basketball and later compete in the NBA.
Chris Reynolds earned two all‑Mid‑State 9 selections and consensus all‑state accolades, Mike Robinson Jr. remains Peoria’s all‑time leading scorer with 2,944 points, and Chris Williams made history as the first Mid‑State 9 player to be named all‑conference three times. Frank Williams contributed to back‑to‑back state titles in 1996 and 1997 and was recognized as a McDonald’s All‑American.
These achievements illustrate how a small city can produce athletes who rise to national prominence, influencing programs at DePaul, Indiana, Louisiana‑Monroe, Purdue and Bradley University, all of which have benefited from the region’s talent pipeline. The legacy continues to inspire future generations and underscores the importance of community‑driven sports development.