Notable Medalists in IHSA Sponsored State Series
- Derrick Rose (Simeon HS) Won back-to-back Class AA basketball state championships in 2006 and 2007. Played at Memphis University for one year. Drafted first overall in the 2008 NBA Draft by his hometown Chicago Bulls. Became the youngest player ever to receive the NBA Most Valuable Player Award in 2011.
- Lou Boudreau (Thornton HS) • announcer and Hall-of-Fame baseball player • led his high school basketball team to 1933 state title and to second place in 1934 and 1935. He was named to the IHSA's 100 Legends list honoring a century of high school basketball.
- Jim Brewer (Proviso East HS) • basketball player and coach • led his team to the 1969 state basketball title before playing for the 1972 Olympic team, and playing and coaching in the NBA.
- Quinn Buckner (Thornridge HS) • basketball player, coach, announcer • led his basketball team to state titles in 1971 and 1972. Played for gold medal 1976 Olympic team after being a part of the 1976 undefeated Indiana team that won the NCAA championship. Later played, coached, and announced in the NBA.
- Dave Butz (Maine South HS) • professional football player • won 1968 state championship in the discus.
- Bart Conner (Niles West HS) • Olympic gymnast • medaled 13 times between 1973 and 1975, including three State Titles on the parallel bars, and two All-Around State Titles.
- Jimmy Connors (Assumption HS, East St. Louis) • international tennis star • placed fifth at the 1967 State Tennis Championship Tournament.
- Roger Ebert (Urbana HS) • film critic • won 1958 state title in radio speaking (Individual Events).
- Neil Flynn (Waukegan East HS) • actor • won 1978 state title in humorous duet acting (Individual Events).
- Red Grange (Wheaton HS) • professional football player • medaled seven times in Track & Field (1920–22) including state championships in the high jump, 100 yard dash, long jump, and 220 yard dash.
- Dawn Harper (East St. Louis Senior HS) • Olympic gold medalist • swept both hurdling events as a high school junior (2000–01) and senior (01–02). Her 2001 time in the 100 m high hurdles remains a state record for girls as of 2008.
- Dennis Hastert • Congressman and 59th Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives • Head Wrestling Coach for Yorkville HS who won the 1976 Class A State Wrestling Championship.
- Edwin Hubble (Wheaton HS) • astronomer • won 1906 state championship in the high jump.
- Jackie Joyner-Kersee (Lincoln HS, East St. Louis) • Olympic athlete • won five medals from 1978 to 1980, including individual state championships in the 440 yard dash, and long jump (twice).
- Ralph Metcalfe (Tilden HS) • Olympic athlete and politician • won seven medals from 1927 to 1930.
- Candace Parker (Naperville Central HS) • basketball player • led her basketball team to 2003 and 2004 state titles, winning several national awards. She later played for University of Tennessee before joining the WNBA, becoming their first Rookie of the Year and MVP in the same season.
- Jon Scheyer (Glenbrook North HS) • basketball player • led his high school basketball team to third place (2003) and a state title (2005), before play at Duke University. He was the youngest member of the IHSA's 100 Legends list honoring a century of high school basketball.
- Jack Sikma (St. Anne HS) • basketball player & coach • led his basketball team to a fourth place finish in Class A before playing and coaching in the NBA.
- Isiah Thomas (St. Joseph HS) • basketball player, coach, executive • led his basketball team to second place in 1978.
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