Billikens announce All-Century team on program's 100th birthday
ST. LOUIS -- Jordair Jett and Dwayne Evans, two of the winningest players in the history of Saint Louis University basketball, and Easy Ed Macauley, surely the greatest Billiken ever, were among 16 players named to the Billiken Basketball All-Century Team on Wednesday night.
Three coaches also were named to the team: Rick Majerus, Charlie Spoonhour and Eddie Hickey.
The team, selected by fans in online voting, was announced at halftime of SLU's game against Duquesne. Players will be formally recognized on Feb. 22 when all living members are invited to attend that day's game against La Salle.
The full team, in alphabetical order:
Anthony Bonner (1986-90), Dick Boushka (1952-55), Erwin Claggett (1992-95), Monroe Douglass (1985-89), Evans (2010-14), Bob Ferry (1956-59), Roland Gray (1985-89), Scott Highmark (1992-95), Larry Hughes (1997-98), Jett (2010-14), Kevin Lisch (2005-09), Macauley (1945-49), Dan Miller (1945-48), Jack Mimlitz (1955-58), Kwamain Mitchell (2008-13) and Joe Wiley (1967-70).
The team includes a Hall of Famer in Macauley, an Olympian in Boushka, the school's all-time top scorer and rebounder (and leader in numerous other categories) in Bonner, the single-season points leader in Hughes and the top 3-point shooter in Claggett.
The Billikens' top seven career scorers were named to the team (in order): Bonner, Claggett, Gray, Douglass, Highmark, Lisch and Mitchell.
Jett and Evans finished their careers last year tied for the school record in games played (134) and as part of the winningest class in SLU history. They won consecutive Atlantic 10 regular-season titles and reached the second round of the NCAA Tournament in their last three seasons, doing so in their senior year by mounting a 16-point comeback in the closing minutes against N.C. State.
A school spokesman said voting results determined the number of players on the team, with a clear gap between the top 16 and the other 22 who were on the ballot. To qualify for the ballot, a player had to be named an All-American, be picked to two all-conference teams or have scored 1,000 points in his career.
Given the depth of talent and the challenge of comparing players from different eras, selecting the team was not easy.
"An impossible task," said Earl Austin Jr., noted hoops authority and analyst on SLU radio broadcasts. "If you look at the list of people who have worn the Billikens uniform, it's an impressive group of individuals."
You can follow Stan McNeal on Twitter at @StanMcNeal or email him at stanmcneal@gmail.com.
