Players

John E. Wilson

Year Inducted: 1992

Category: Players

Schools / Organizations: 
Paris High School
Eastern Illinois University

Biography:  With the late Don Glover, who is also enshrined in the IBCA Hall of Fame, John E. Wilson made up the moniker “Paris Twins” as they became known at Eastern Illinois University.  They had led Coach Ernie Eveland’s 1947 Paris High School team to the IHSA State Championship.  Wilson scored 8 points in that 58-37 victory over Champaign HS in old Huff Gym.  

EIU made 3 trips to the NAIA national tournament while Wilson was a letter winner for the Panthers.  From 1948-51, the team went 80-23.  Wilson was named to the all conference team each of those seasons.  He earned the NAIA’s Emil Liston Award as the best junior in the tournament that year.  John set the career scoring record for the Panthers with 1,230 points.  Many of these came from assists given by his friend Don Glover–the two began playing together in the 4th grade.  The 1946-47 team is enshrined in the IBCA Hall of Fame as well.