Jack Smiley, Basketball • 1942-43, 47

Jack Smiley established himself with the amazing Whiz Kids that went 35-6 from 1941-43, helping the Illini to Big Ten titles in 1942 and ’43. Smiley was named third-team All-American in 1943 and 1947. He earned First-Team All-Big Ten honors in 1943, and was named to the Second-Team in 1942 and 1947. The Whiz Kids turned down an invitation to the NCAA tournament in 1943 after Smiley, Gene Vance and Andy Phillip were drafted into the military mid-season. During World War II, Smiley was engaged at the Battle of the Bulge, once firing his 105 mm Howitzer for 96 continuous hours. Upon return to college following the war, he won team MVP honors in 1947. Smiley played two seasons in the NBA, and was player-coach of the Waterloo Hawks for 27 games in the 1950 season. He died in 2000 at the age of 77.