Spotlighting father-son Illini basketball duos

Jul. 11—Illinois was the first program to offer St. Ignatius standout Phoenix Gill. Should the Class of 2025 guard ultimately pick the Illini, he and his dad, Illinois Hall of Fame guard Kendall Gill, would become the latest father-son duo to suit up in orange and blue. Beat writer Scott Richey takes a look at five others:

Bill and Doug Altenberger

Bill Altenberger was a three-year letterwinner for Illinois in the 1950s. The 6-foot-1 guard averaged a career high 9.4 points in his debut sophomore season and matched that as a senior in 1956-57. Doug Altenberger spent five seasons in Champaign — redshirting in 1985-86 after an injury — and ultimately played 132 career games. The 6-4 guard had a career year in his final season in 1986-87, putting up 13.6 points, 4.6 rebounds and three assists per game while shooting 49 percent from three-point range for the 23-8 Illini.

Ralph and Rod Fletcher

Ralph Fletcher dabbled in basketball as a stater for the 1918-19 Illinois team in the middle of his three-year Illini football career. He ultimately returned to Champaign to briefly join the Illinois football staff and also spent 22 years as Illini golf coach. Rod Fletcher helped Champaign High win the 1946 state title before matriculating to Illinois. The 6-4 guard averaged a career high 11.2 points and was a consensus First Team All-American for the 1952 Big Ten champions that reached the Final Four.

Phil and Rob Judson

Phil Judson played a reserve role alongside his twin brother, Paul, for three seasons at Illinois in the mid-1950s and was part of two Big Ten runner-up teams. Rob Judson, who went into coaching after his Illini career and is currently an assistant at Illinois State, was a four-year letterwinner in Champaign. The 6-2 guard averaged a career high 9.4 points as a junior in 1978-79 and still holds the program record for career free throw percentage at 87.5 percent.

James and Jim Vopicka

James Vopicka won a state championship for Morton High School in Cicero in 1932 and then was a starter on Illinois '1937 Big Ten championship team playing alongside Lou Boudreau and Harry Combes. Jim Vopicka was also a two-year letterwinner for the Illini — like his dad — and played a reserve role both seasons. He averaged a career high 5.7 points as a junior in 1963-64.

Frank and Da'Monte Williams

Frank Williams was a three-year starter at Illinois — bridging the Lon Kruger and Bill Self eras — and started at point guard for back-to-back Big Ten championship teams in 2001 and 2002. The two-time All-American and 2001 Big Ten Player of the Year averaged 14.3 points, 4.3 assists and four rebounds in his Illini career before being selected in the first round of the 2002 NBA Draft. Da'Monte Williams played in a program record 159 career games in five seasons at Illinois and averaged a career high 5.5 points for the 2021 Big Ten champions.