Andy Kaufmann
- This page is on the former basketball player. For the late comedian see Andy Kaufman.
Andy Kaufmann is a former basketball 6'5 or 6'6 swingman/small forward who starred at the University of Illinois during the late 1980s and early 1990s.
High school
Kaufmann starred at Jacksonville High School in Jacksonville, Illinois, where his 3160 career points ranks him second all-time in the state[1]. He is one of only five players to score over 3000 points in his career[2]. He three times scored 50 points in a game[3].
Illini career
Kaufmann started his Fighting Illini career as a freshman in 1988-89, averaging 4.3 points per game in 12 games for the Illini's Final Four team. As a sophomore in 1989-90, Kaufmann averaged 9.8 points in 29 games.
Kaufmann averaged 21.3 ppg as a junior[4] in 1990-91, leading the team. His 660 point scored that season rank as the second highest single season point total in Fighting Illini history. On December 3, 1990, Kaufmann scored 46 points against Wisconsin-Milwaukee, the second highest single game point total in Fighting Illini men's basketball history.
Kaufmann did not play in the 1991-92 season, due to academic suspension. As a senior, Kaufmann averaged 17.3 points in 31 games in the 1992-93 season.
Kaufmann is perhaps best remembered for his 3-point buzzer beater in 1993 that knocked off the then number 9 ranked Iowa Hawkeyes. IlliniHQ.com rates this the 4th greatest moment in Illini basketball history.
As of 2009, Kaufmann is the Fighting Illini's 8th all-time leading scorer with 1,533 points [5], a total which ranked fourth on the all-time list at the completion of his playing eligibility. As of 1999, he was the 8th all-time Illini player for made 3-point field goals with 105 in (276 attempts) [6].
Pro basketball
Kaufmann was drafted in the 7th (and final) round, 107 overall, of the 1993 CBA amateur draft by Wichita Falls Texans. He was also drafted in the Open Phase 5th round (38th overall) of the 1993 USBL draft, by Daytona Beach Hooters. Kaufmann may not have ever played professional basketball - nothing from a google search can be found suggesting that he played either in the States or overseas.