Sergio McClain

Sergio McClain (born November 2, 1978) is a former professional basketball player and NJCAA coach. He was the 1997 winner of the Illinois Mr. Basketball award.

Sergio McClain
Personal information
Born (1978-11-02) November 2, 1978
Peoria, Illinois
NationalityAmerican
Listed height6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Listed weight230 lb (104 kg)
Career information
High schoolManual (Peoria, Illinois)
CollegeIllinois (1997–2001)
NBA draft2001: undrafted
Playing career2001–2002
PositionShooting guard / small forward
Career history
As player:
2001–2002Asheville Altitude
As coach:
2006–2007Peoria Kings
2008–2009Parkland College
2013Springfield Xpress
2013–2014Champaign Central HS (Asst.)
2014–2015Champaign Central HS (interim HC)
2015–2016Dade Christian School
2016–2018Champaign Swarm
2019-PresentSaint Louis Public Schools (Middle School Athletic Director)
Career highlights and awards

High school career

McClain attended Peoria Manual High School, and helped lead his basketball team to a record four consecutive state titles. He was a three time all-state selection, Conference Player of the Year in 1997, and was named 1997 Illinois Mr. Basketball.[1][2] McClain was the only high school basketball player in Illinois state history to start on four straight state championship teams until Jabari Parker helped lead Simeon Career Academy in Chicago to four straight state titles.[2]

College career

McClain later played for Lon Kruger and Bill Self at the University of Illinois, along with his high school teammates Marcus Griffin and Frank Williams. "The Peoria 3" anchored one of the Big Ten's top teams during their time there and the Illini ultimately earned a number one seed in the 2001 NCAA Tournament, advancing to the Elite 8. His intimidating stature led Illini football coach Ron Turner to approach him about trying out for his team as a linebacker or safety, but after a few practices, McClain decided to focus on basketball.

Coaching career

McClain was head for the now defunct Peoria Kings ABA franchise from 2006–2007. He later served as head coach at the NJCAA Division II level for Parkland College in Champaign, Illinois from 2008–2009. In his only season with Parkland, McClain went 14–15 with a seven-man roster.[2][3] McClain returned to coaching in 2013, acting as head coach for the Springfield Express of the Independent Basketball Association.[4] From 2013–2016 McClain coached at Champaign Central High School and at Dade Christian School until accepting the head coach position for the Champaign Swarm.[4]

References
  1. Sakamoto, Bob (January 2, 2015). "Mr. Basketball of Illinois 1997 Peoria Manual's Sergio McClain". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved November 22, 2017.
  2. Reynolds, Dave (August 25, 2013). "Where Are They Now? Sergio McClain". The State Journal Register. Retrieved November 22, 2017.
  3. "Sergio McClain hired to coach Champaign Swarm in MPBA". The State Journal Register. November 1, 2016. Retrieved November 22, 2017.
  4. Richey, Scott (November 1, 2016). "Ex-Illini McClain to coach Swarm". News Gazette. Retrieved November 22, 2017.
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