Thanksgiving Trivia

Obelix · Nov 22, 2016

1) In a HS all-star game, Luther Head put on a move known as "The Dunk." Who was the player he put on the move on and what was his distant connection with the state of Illinois?

[YOUTUBE]WnXiua66KbE[/YOUTUBE]

2) Name one Illini player (any sport) who redshirted, completed his college eligibility, and became a first round draft pick.

3) Joel Embiid was the 3rd overall pick in the 2014 NBA draft. However, he did not make his debut until two years later on October 2016. Name another NBA first round draft pick who missed his first two seasons and did not make his debut until two years later. [may be more than one answer, I know one for sure).

4) Matt Heldman (RIP) became the starting PG for the 1997-98 Illini team that surprised everyone and won the B1G title (tied for 1st), when the Illini finished second on a key late recruitment. Who was the PG that Kruger missed on?

[YOUTUBE]MXMKQMehYPE[/YOUTUBE]

5) This basketball HS recruit sparked a controversy when he appeared on a TV commercial. Who was the recruit and what commercial did he appear on?

StateFarmCenter · Nov 22, 2016

2) Kenny Battle, Frank Williams, Deon Thomas. Football you could probably pick from a few offensive lineman.

3) Royce White comes to mind but I believe he played a game here or there inside 2 years

5) Kendrick Nunn was in a commercial although don't know if that's what the answer is.

Obelix · Nov 22, 2016

StateFarmCenter said:
2) Kenny Battle, Frank Williams, Deon Thomas. Football you could probably pick from a few offensive lineman.

3) Royce White comes to mind but I believe he played a game here or there inside 2 years

5) Kendrick Nunn was in a commercial although don't know if that's what the answer is.

Nope, but Royce White barely missed the cut. Kenny Battle was a transfer, not a RS. Frank Williams was a partial qualifier but he also did not complete his eligibility. Deon was a second round draft pick.

uofi09 · Nov 22, 2016

Is David Robinson, the answer for #3?

Obelix · Nov 22, 2016

uofi09 said:
Is David Robinson, the answer for #3?

David Robinson is correct. He had to complete a mandatory 2-yr service in the Navy. Drafted in 1987, did not play until 1989-90 season.

There is actually at least one more correct answer.

WesterveltVictoryCigar · Nov 22, 2016

#2 - Tony Eason

Obelix · Nov 22, 2016

WesterveltVictoryCigar said:
#2 - Tony Eason

I believe Eason was a transfer, not sure he took a volunteer RS or he had to sit out. So he may also be a correct answer.

There is one player who RS and played all 4 years at UI.

WesterveltVictoryCigar · Nov 22, 2016

Yeah, White used to redshirt most of the JC recruits, it was voluntary. He sat out during Dave Wilson's season as starter.

schnaurt · Nov 22, 2016

#2
Football - Henry Jones?

Obelix · Nov 22, 2016

schnaurt said:
#2
Football - Henry Jones?

Henry Jones is correct. He redshirted in 1986, played in 87-90 and was a first round pick in 1991.

There is at least one more for #2.

Holdemall · Nov 22, 2016

#3 could also be Shawn Bradley, though I suspect there are many foreign players with the same distinction.

Obelix · Nov 22, 2016

Holdemall said:
#3 could also be Shawn Bradley, though I suspect there are many foreign players with the same distinction.

Bradley went on a mission for 2 years and entered the NBA rather than returning to college. But he played right away.

But there are multiple answers on this one other than Robinson. I know 2 more for sure but can be even more.

uofi09 · Nov 22, 2016

Obelix said:
Bradley went on a mission for 2 years and entered the NBA rather than returning to college. But he played right away.

But there are multiple answers on this one other than Robinson. I know 2 more for sure but can be even more.

Ricky Rubio?

Holdemall · Nov 22, 2016

Nenad Krstic, Ricky Rubio, Mrotic of the Bulls, etc., etc.

Obelix · Nov 22, 2016

uofi09 said:
Ricky Rubio?

Rubio is also correct for #3. There are more.

Holdemall · Nov 22, 2016

Alex Abrines of OKC is another. Arvydas Sabonis waited 9 years. Andrei Kirilenko.

Obelix · Nov 22, 2016

Holdemall said:
Nenad Krstic, Ricky Rubio, Mrotic of the Bulls, etc., etc.

... Saric and other internationals.

My question was more of college players (although not stated), so the answer was David Robinson (uofi09).

But there is one more American born player.

stevied · Nov 22, 2016

Arvydas Sabonis for #3.

Obelix · Nov 22, 2016

stevied said:
Arvydas Sabonis for #3.

Multiple internationals.

One more American born though to close #3.

IlliniPunk · Nov 23, 2016

Obelix said:
1) In a HS all-star game, Luther Head put on a move known as "The Dunk." Who was the player he put on the move on and what was his distant connection with the state of Illinois?

[YOUTUBE]WnXiua66KbE[/YOUTUBE]

2) Name one Illini player (any sport) who redshirted, completed his college eligibility, and became a first round draft pick.

3) Joel Embiid was the 3rd overall pick in the 2014 NBA draft. However, he did not make his debut until two years later on October 2016. Name another NBA first round draft pick who missed his first two seasons and did not make his debut until two years later. [may be more than one answer, I know one for sure).

4) Matt Heldman (RIP) became the starting PG for the 1997-98 Illini team that surprised everyone and won the B1G title (tied for 1st), when the Illini finished second on a key late recruitment. Who was the PG that Kruger missed on?

[YOUTUBE]MXMKQMehYPE[/YOUTUBE]

5) This basketball HS recruit sparked a controversy when he appeared on a TV commercial. Who was the recruit and what commercial did he appear on?

#1 Roger Powell?

coryfor3 · Nov 23, 2016

Obelix said:
1) In a HS all-star game, Luther Head put on a move known as "The Dunk." Who was the player he put on the move on and what was his distant connection with the state of Illinois?

[YOUTUBE]WnXiua66KbE[/YOUTUBE]

2) Name one Illini player (any sport) who redshirted, completed his college eligibility, and became a first round draft pick.

3) Joel Embiid was the 3rd overall pick in the 2014 NBA draft. However, he did not make his debut until two years later on October 2016. Name another NBA first round draft pick who missed his first two seasons and did not make his debut until two years later. [may be more than one answer, I know one for sure).

4) Matt Heldman (RIP) became the starting PG for the 1997-98 Illini team that surprised everyone and won the B1G title (tied for 1st), when the Illini finished second on a key late recruitment. Who was the PG that Kruger missed on?

[YOUTUBE]MXMKQMehYPE[/YOUTUBE]

5) This basketball HS recruit sparked a controversy when he appeared on a TV commercial. Who was the recruit and what commercial did he appear on?

4) IIRC, it would have been BYU transfer and eventual Michigan point guard Robbie Reid.

Obelix · Nov 23, 2016

IlliniPunk said:
#1 Roger Powell?

Not Roger.

madcrazeeballa · Nov 23, 2016

#1 - Former Depaul commit Kenny Adeleke?

Obelix · Nov 23, 2016

coryfor3 said:
4) IIRC, it would have been BYU transfer and eventual Michigan point guard Robbie Reid.

#4. Robbie Reid is correct. The BYU transfer had come back from his 2-yr Mormon mission and was immediately available, but decided in late August 1997 to attend Michigan despite Kruger's friendship with his dad, Roger Reid.

http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1997-08-24/sports/9708240366_1_roger-reid-illini-ncaa-violation

Obelix · Nov 23, 2016

madcrazeeballa said:
#1 - Former Depaul commit Kenny Adeleke?

#1, Kenny Adeleke is correct. It was the Wendy's All-Star game, featuring Chicago vs. New York. Adeleke played for team New York. Kenny Adeleke had committed and signed an LOI with DePaul, but subsequently asked to be released, a request that Depaul granted. He played college basketball at Hofstra.