Jens Kujawa

Jens Kujawa, a 1984 graduate of Taylorville High School, played on the 1983-84 Taylorville Basketball Team coached by Lee Emery that had a 23 -6 record. Kujawa was a foreign exchange student and was only allowed one year of athletic eligibility. But during that year, Jens led the team in scoring with 495 points and was selected MVP of the Charleston Holiday Tournament, All Apollo Conference First Team and the Champaign News Gazette All State Team.

Kujawa received a scholarship and played three years at the University of Illinois under Lou Henson. He “red-shirted” during his freshman year, and during his first year of eligibility he was a member of the varsity roster and was named to the Big Ten All- Academic Team. A starter for the Illini his final two years, Kujawa scored 317 point, 280 rebounds and had 41 blocked shots to help the Illini to a total of 44 wins against 18 losses and a ranking of 11th in nation. During his final year at Illinois, Kujawa was chosen team co-captain and was selected to the Academic All Big Ten first team.

After playing for Illinois, Kujawa returned to his homeland in Germany and played professionally for thirteen years. He was a member of the German Olympic team that played in the Barcelona Olympics and had to face the famous Michael Jordan lead original USA Dream Team in 1992. In 1993, he was a member of the only German team in history to win the European Championship and in 1996 also won the German Cup. During the 1998-99 season, Jens lead the German Profession League in rebounding. Jens Kujawa is being inducted as a player who succeeded after high school.

Jens Kujawa currently lives in Germany.