The Sports Bank

Football. Soccer. Basketball. Gaming and Much More

College Basketball

Kendall Gill Makes a Unique Choice for Hoops G.O.A.T. (Exclusive)

By

Current NBC Sports Chicago Analyst Kendall Gill really know his hoops- both college and pro. The Olympia Fields, Illinois native led the NBA in steals during the 1999 season, and he still holds the record for most single game steals in NBA history. A legend at the University of Illinois, where he helped lead the Illini to the 1989 Final Four, Gill was the fifth overall pick in … [Read more...] about Kendall Gill Makes a Unique Choice for Hoops G.O.A.T. (Exclusive)

Top 15 NFL and NBA Stars From the South Chicago Suburbs

By

The Chicago south suburbs, or as we call it, "SICA Country" has produced a ton of talented professional athletes. We named this term after the now defunct high school sports conference SICA (South Inter Conference Association). This area stretches from Summit to Kankakee, Bolingbrook to Chicago Heights. Obviously, SICA country is more than a geographic area, it's a state of … [Read more...] about Top 15 NFL and NBA Stars From the South Chicago Suburbs

Will Riley: Illini Basketball Inks Their Highest Rated Recruit Ever

By

In Will Riley, Illinois may have their men's basketball version of Chase Brown. By that we mean a Canadian import who totally changes the game for them in a revenue sport.  Will Riley is the Illini basketball program's highest ranked recruit of all-time. If that sounds like hyperbole, you have to remember that recruiting services have only been around a few decades or so. … [Read more...] about Will Riley: Illini Basketball Inks Their Highest Rated Recruit Ever

Puppy Crawl: Greatest Halftime Show Ever

By

When it comes to Puppy Crawl, you can have a debate about it. That debate is: "was is is the greatest halftime show in Big Ten Tournament history? Or "was it the greatest halftime show in basketball history?" One can't say a lot good things about how the Illinois Fighting Illini played last night, in their 2023 Big Ten Tournament loss to Penn State. (We already covered that … [Read more...] about Puppy Crawl: Greatest Halftime Show Ever

Terrence Shannon Jr. to Stand Trial for Rape on June 10

By

Per the ruling of a Kansas judge, at a preliminary hearing earlier today, the well-publicized case of former Illinois star Terrence Shannon Jr. will go to trial on June 10. On that date, he will be tried on charges of first-degree felony rape and felony sexual aggravated battery. The legal team of Terrence Shannon Jr. released a statement in response. … [Read more...] about Terrence Shannon Jr. to Stand Trial for Rape on June 10

Overseas Basketball Tryouts; A Gateway to Unconventional Success

By

In basketball's fiercely competitive world, professional leagues typically favor players with impressive credentials, stats, and collegiate or international experience. However, overseas basketball tryouts offer a distinct advantage for those outside this mold—a platform to showcase raw talent and bypass traditional barriers, opening doors that might otherwise remain closed. … [Read more...] about Overseas Basketball Tryouts; A Gateway to Unconventional Success

Exclusive: Illini AHC Orlando Antigua on His Mentor John Calipari

By

With the official announcement yesterday of Assistant Coach Orlando Antigua returning to Illini Basketball, as the new Associate Head Coach, we now re-publish our two part exclusive with him, from 2017 Media Day. Part one can be found here If you have not seen the John Calipari ESPN 30 for 30 film ”One and Not Done." I strongly suggest you check it out.  “I thought they did a … [Read more...] about Exclusive: Illini AHC Orlando Antigua on His Mentor John Calipari