The 1975-76 Illinois Coaches Basketball Association All-State Team was an amazing collection of future collegiate stars. Lawrenceville's Jay Shidler (who would sign with Kentucky) and East Leydan's Glen Grunwald (Indiana) were two of the crown jewels of the class, but Eldorado's Mike Duff (Evansville) and St. Laurence's Steve Krafcisin (Iowa) also received ample acclaim.
Four all-staters — Morgan Park's Levi Cobb, Mascoutah's Steve Lanter, Oak Park Fenwick's Neil Bresnahan and Zion-Benton's Rob Judson — would eventually sign with Coach Lou Henson's Fighting Illini. Illinois, however, initially missed out on a fifth prospect, Derek Holcomb.
The 6-11 center from Peoria's Richwoods High School envisioned himself as Kent Benson's heir apparent, and signed with Coach Bob Knight's reigning national champion Indiana Hoosiers.