EVANSTON, Ill. – Northwestern Athletics and Recreation and the Wildcats men’s basketball program announced Sunday that one of the greatest student-athletes in the history of the University, Billy McKinney (1973-77), will have his jersey retired during the 2023-24 basketball season at Welsh-Ryan Arena. McKinney will be the first student-athlete in school history to have their jersey retired.
Considered by many the best player in Northwestern history, McKinney scored 1,900 career points, a school record that stood for 35 years, and led the Wildcats in scoring each season of his career. His 768 made field goals still stand as the program’s all-time record. McKinney earned All-Big Ten recognition in all of his four seasons and garnered First Team All-Conference and All-America honors as a senior when he averaged 21.3 points per game. A Wildcat has not made 17 or more field goal attempts in a game since McKinney when he posted 37 points against Notre Dame in 1974. Under head coach Tex Winter, McKinney was named the first three-time team MVP in program history from 1975-77. The Zion, Ill., native also suited up for the Northwestern baseball team, earned his degree in education in 1977, and was inducted to the Northwestern Athletics Hall of Fame in 1986.
After his collegiate career McKinney enjoyed an eight-year playing career in the NBA (1978-85) with the Kansas City Kings, Utah Jazz, Denver Nuggets, San Diego Clippers and Chicago Bulls. He averaged 8.0 points, 1.4 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game, eclipsing 3,800 career points and 1,600 career assists. Due to his quickness, McKinney was nicknamed “The Crazed Hummingbird.” He still holds the NBA rookie record for most made field goals without a miss, converting 14 straight attempts in a 30-point outburst against the Boston Celtics.
Following his professional playing career, McKinney served as an executive and scout in NBA front offices for over 30 years. While working as a Bulls scout, McKinney was the only scout to watch Scottie Pippen play in Arkadelphia, Ark., guiding the team to trade for Pippen in 1987 and form one of the NBA’s greatest dynasties with Michael Jordan. He was the first African-American front office executive in franchise history.
McKinney became the first general manager of the expansion Minnesota Timberwolves in 1992 and later worked…
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