T.J. Wheeler

Fighting Illini basketball's T.J. Wheeler celebrates his 38th birthday today. The product of Buckner's Christopher High School was a tri-captain along with Deon Thomas and Tom Michael for the University of Illinois' 1993-94 squad. During the three seasons that Wheeler lettered for Coach Lou Henson, the Illini played in three NCAA tournament games. In Illinois' 1993 tourney victory at Salt Lake City against Long Beach State, Wheeler was three-for-four from the field and hit both of his free throw attempts. His top-scoring game as an Illini player was a 23-point performance against Michigan his senior season. Wheeler ended his career in 39th place on the school's career scoring list with 883 points. Following his senior season, he also ranked third on UI's all-time free throw percentage list:

.875 Rob Judson, 1976-80 (126-144)

.839 Bill Small, 1960-63 (193-230)

.837 T.J. Wheeler, 1990-94 (221-264)

.827 Tony Wysinger, 1983-87 (158-191)

.823 Craig Tucker, 1980-82 (186-226)

.816 Jeff Dawson, 1972-74 (155-190)

.809 Andy Kaufmann, 1988-93 (398-492)

.808 Govoner Vaughn, 1957-60 (181-224)

.807 Roger Taylor, 1956-59 (180-223)

.806 Rick Howat, 1968-71 (145-180)

Illini Birthdays

Sunday Jerry Ramshaw, football (52)

Monday Angela Bizzarri, track & field (22)

Tuesday Howard Judson, basketball/baseball (84)

Wednesday Steve Marianetti, wrestling (38)

Thursday Stan Simpson, basketball (20)

Friday Lou Belmont, football (50)

Saturday Bob Richards, track & field (84)

NEXT SUNDAY: Demetri McCamey

By Mike Pearson, Author of Illini Legends, Lists & Lore, Assistant Athletic Director at Miami University