Billy McKinney (Basketball, 1974-77)
In his four years at Northwestern, McKinney conducted an all-out assault on the Wildcat record book, setting NU career records for most points scored (1,900) and most field goals (768) at the time of his graduation. In 2007, he ranked fifth all-time with 364 free throws made. He started 98 straight basketball games before being sidelined by an injury his senior year. He averaged 15.4 points per game as a freshman, 18.2 as a sophomore and 19.8 as a junior.
McKinney ended his career by scoring double figures in every game of his senior year, averaging more than 21.3 points per game. He was named Northwestern's Most Valuable Player for three years and made the All-Big Ten first team his senior season. He also played for the baseball team. After leaving NU, he played eight seasons in the NBA for several teams, including Kansas City, Denver, San Diego and Chicago. At the time of his induction, he was involved in coaching and administration for the Chicago Bulls.
On March 2, 2024, Northwestern retired McKinney's No. 30 jersey at halftime of its men's basketball game vs. Iowa, making McKinney the first student-athlete in University history to have their jersey retired.
McKinney ended his career by scoring double figures in every game of his senior year, averaging more than 21.3 points per game. He was named Northwestern's Most Valuable Player for three years and made the All-Big Ten first team his senior season. He also played for the baseball team. After leaving NU, he played eight seasons in the NBA for several teams, including Kansas City, Denver, San Diego and Chicago. At the time of his induction, he was involved in coaching and administration for the Chicago Bulls.
On March 2, 2024, Northwestern retired McKinney's No. 30 jersey at halftime of its men's basketball game vs. Iowa, making McKinney the first student-athlete in University history to have their jersey retired.
