CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (Chambana Today) – Illinois Athletics is mourning the loss of Dave Downey, one of the greatest players in Illinois basketball history, who passed away on Saturday at the age of 84. Downey, a native of Canton, Illinois, played for the Fighting Illini from 1961 to 1963, earning three-time team MVP honors while leading the team in scoring and rebounding each year.
As a senior in 1963, Downey’s standout performance helped Illinois secure the Big Ten Championship and reach the NCAA Mideast Regional Final. That same year, he was named first-team All-America by the Helms Foundation and selected for the first-team All-Big Ten squad.
Downey’s most iconic achievement came on February 16, 1963, when he set the Illini single-game scoring record with an astonishing 53 points against Indiana—a mark that still stands 62 years later. In honor of this historic performance, the courtside club at the State Farm Center is named Club 53.
Off the court, Downey was also recognized for his academic excellence, receiving the Big Ten Medal of Honor in 1963. By the time he graduated, he had become Illinois’ all-time leading scorer with 1,360 points and rebounder with 790 rebounds—marks that still place him among the top 25 and top 10, respectively, in Illini history. His career averages of 18.9 points per game and 11.0 rebounds per game remain among the best in program history.
Downey’s legacy extended beyond basketball. He was named to the Illinois Basketball All-Century Team, inducted into the Illinois Athletics Hall of Fame in 2018, and was part of the Illinois Basketball Honored Jerseys program. A successful businessman, Downey remained active in the Champaign-Urbana community, serving on numerous leadership boards, including the University of Illinois Board of Trustees.
Illinois Athletics extends its deepest condolences to Dave Downey’s family, friends, and all who were touched by his remarkable contributions to the program and the community.