BENTON — A Benton native known for his distinguished basketball and broadcasting career is one of six people Gov. JB Pritzker recently announced that will be receiving the state’s highest honor for professional achievement and public service – the Order of Lincoln.

Paul (Doug) Collins is an American basketball executive, former player, coach, and television analyst, originally from Benton.

Collins was the first overall pick of the 1973 NBA draft and a four-time NBA All-Star. He represented the United States at the 1972 Summer Olympics. He coached the Chicago Bulls, Detroit Pistons, Washington Wizards, and Philadelphia 76ers. Both the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame and NBA Hall of Fame have inducted Collins. He has served as an analyst for various NBA-related broadcast shows on CBS, NBC, TNT, and TBS. The basketball court at Illinois State University bears his name.

Collins will receive the honor on Saturday, April 18, 2020 as the Lincoln Academy of Illinois will host its 56th annual Convocation on the campus of Illinois State University.