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EACH WEEK, WE'LL TAKE A LOOK BACK AT A MEMORABLE MOMENT IN ILLINI HISTORY, THANKS TO THE WORDS OF THE NEWS-GAZETTE

This week: When we sent staff writer Bob Asmussen and photographer John Dixon to cover Kendall Gill's visit to Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, little did we know it would be the last hurrah for the NBA's lone remaining Flyin' Illini. As it is, The News-Gazette recorded another chapter of UI history.

Date: Jan. 9, 2005

Headline: Gone,  not forgotten

By BOB ASMUSSEN

INDIANAPOLIS – The final shot left his hands from 19 feet. Good. Of course. With an assist from Erick Strickland.

An hour later, Kendall Gill's final game with the Milwaukee Bucks ended at Conseco Fieldhouse. So did his career.

Waived by the Bucks on Wednesday, a month after taking the job, former Illini Gill said his basketball days are over. And his life is just beginning.

"I'm done," Gill said. "I don't want to play anymore. It's not a bitter me not wanting to play. It's time for me to move on. The fire that made me me is no longer there. I knew this summer it wasn't there. I wanted to end my career knowing I could play at a high level. With the Bucks, I proved that.

"I woke up Wednesday and was probably the happiest I've been in six or seven years, knowing that I didn't have to go play basketball anymore."

For Gill, basketball always was a means to an end. There was no sentimental last look around the arena. No autographed ball to put in a trophy case. Not even a goodbye to his temporary teammates. Snap your finger: That's how long Gill spent dwelling on his final moments of basketball.

"I've done everything a guy could possibly do in the NBA," Gill said. "I've been playing basketball for 26 years. At that level, you can't fake it. My desire to go to the gym and shoot my shots and work on my game was not there."

Gill's agent called him Tuesday to tell him what the Bucks were planning. Gill didn't look like a guy upset by the news.

"Actually, it was a big relief," Gill said. "The game has changed into an individual game, and it's not a team game anymore. I was just sick of seeing young guys come and do 'and one' moves."

Physically, Gill could go another five seasons. There are few players in the NBA who stay in better shape. Besides traditional workouts, Gill has studied martial arts for six years. Lately, he's taken up boxing.

"That's what I wanted to be when I was a kid," Gill said. "I've sparred. I have not had a real bout. It's fun. It's a challenge. You're responsible for your own destiny out there."

On Friday, Gill checked out his development properties in Chicago while chatting on the phone. His life now is all business. His own business.

"That requires my complete attention," Gill said.

If a title contender is looking for a lift later in the season, it shouldn't bother calling Gill.

"There's just no way at all," Gill said. "My decision is final."

Gill thought he found the perfect scenario when he went to the Chicago Bulls in 2003. No such luck.

"The time in Chicago was the worst because they were so bad," Gill said. "The system wasn't what I thought it would be. The young players there didn't take the game seriously enough to make that organization a winner. It was a dream come true when I signed, but it turned out to be my worst nightmare."

Maybe someday he will own one of the NBA teams he played for. Seven stops in 15 seasons.

He stayed longer in the NBA than the rest of the Flyin' Illini. Kenny Battle had a cup of coffee. Marcus Liberty hung around for four seasons. Nick Anderson put in 13 successful years, mostly with Orlando. Nobody outlasted Gill.

"I said that I'd play until I was 32," Gill said. "I'm 36. I had no idea that it would last this long. I'm glad I got the opportunity to play 15 years."

Last dance

He signed Dec. 6 with Milwaukee. There were other offseason options. A few teams on the West Coast made offers, but Gill wasn't going to be far from his Chicago-area home.

"I didn't want to move," Gill said. "When Milwaukee called, I was just tired of waiting, so I said, 'OK.' "

In a short time, Gill ingratiated himself to his new teammates. He became a Big Ten buddy with former Ohio State star Michael Redd, teaming with him during shooting games in practice. The two bragged about their favorite college conference.

"They call us the 'Big Tenners,' " Redd said.

The team's two young stars, Redd and Desmond Mason, tried to learn from Gill. Hard not to admire a guy who has played for 15 seasons.

"I give him a lot of credit for playing all these years," Redd said. "It's not an easy job. He has my utmost respect. To play this long is a blessing."

"I'm hoping to play 15 years," Mason said. "Everyone knows he takes care of his body. That's what he's known for. He's moving around better than some of the younger guys."

A star earlier in his career, Gill had to be satisfied with 20 minutes a game in Milwaukee. Bucks coach Terry Porter didn't see any problems.

"You have to really understand the logistics of our business," Porter said. "At some point, you've got to come to grips with your talent. Sometimes, that's really hard for a guy."

Porter didn't hesitate to bring Gill to Milwaukee.

"We thought he would be a good fit for us," Porter said. "When you have a lot of young guys, you want to try to bring guys in who are pros and know how to be pros. He definitely fits that.

"Guys respect him because of what he's achieved in this league."

Porter and Gill played against each other during the coach's 17 seasons in the NBA.

"My team was a little bit better when he was at Charlotte," Porter said.

In what Porter and Gill knew was his final game, the guard scored four points in 13 minutes. Porter sent him in late in the first quarter, Gill taking the court with three seconds left. He still managed to squeeze off a shot, the 20-footer rolling out.

Good company

On Jan. 29, when Illinois honors its All-Century team, Gill will be there.

One of 20 named to the all-time team, Gill got the word while eating at a pizza restaurant.

"I was very pleased with it," Gill said. "It was just an honor for me to be named. When I went there, I was a no-name guy. Then, I went there and ended up on the All-Century team. It just shows you what's possible if you put your mind to it."

The alumni game is another subject. Though he's capable of putting up 50 points, you won't see him in his baggy shorts.

"I don't plan on ever touching a basketball again," Gill said.

The current Illini have impressed Gill. His Final Four team in 1989 couldn't hold the No. 1 ranking for more than a week. Bruce Weber's team is at a month .. and counting.

"Hopefully, they can continue throughout the rest of the season," Gill said. "One thing I don't want is for us to go into the NCAA tournament without a loss. That puts extra pressure on you, and you go into the tournament kind of tight. I remember in the years past when DePaul would do that and lose to a team like St. Joe's. Iwouldn't mind one loss."

Fast forward

His NBA career over and his businesses on the move, Gill finally can start thinking about the Gill family.

"I wanted to finish up basketball, then move onto the next phase," Gill said. "I'm still young enough where I can have kids and a wife."

Gill didn't want to be apart from a wife and kids while grinding through NBA seasons. And he didn't want to move his family each time his general manager turned trade happy.

"I don't know how guys do that," Gill said. "I want my kids to grow up around the same kids their whole life and be in the same school system."

Being a single pro athlete brings a different set of concerns.

"You don't have the family burden," Porter said. "But single in the NBA, there are a lot of distractions."

When Gill starts his family, there will be no danger of him going back to basketball as a coach.

"I don't want to be one of those guys who sticks around to try to get an assistant coaching job," Gill said. "Not taking anything away from anybody, but to me that's so shallow. That's saying, 'This is the only thing that I know.' "