100 Things Blackhawks Fans Should Know and Do Before They Die, 10 free things to do in Chicago this April, Chicago voted Best Big City in the U.S. for the sixth year in a row, Your guide to Chicago Cubs and White Sox baseball 2021, Where to order Super Bowl specials and watch the game in Chicago. . He was a member of the National Honor Society. Their business was winning. Print. (Chicago Tribune archive photo), Ben Wilson's father, Ben Wilson Sr., talks to the media during the murder trial in his son's slaying on Oct. 9, 1985, at the Criminal Court Building in Chicago. A teacher consoles Simeon High School students as they grieve for their schoolmate Ben Wilson on Nov. 21, 1984. Let the "old-school versus modern-times" debate rage on. Players (14) Staff (9) Do you have a team photo? In 2010, he was named the AP,Naismith and Wooden NCAA National Player of the Year, as well as the Big TenConference Player of the Year. Bynum has served as a mentor for Nunn in trying to keep him on the right track. Only four other teams came within 20 points. One of the leaders of the 2005 NCAA runners-up, the point guard from Dallas went from Illinois to a starring role in the NBA. Still, the grassroots of basketball come at the youth level, where it's the second-most popular sport in United States high schools. All media members covering high school basketball in the state were eligible to nominate and vote for players. They also won the Class 4A championship four times; 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12, and 2012-13 (which tied Manual High School for the longest Illinois state championship title run). -- NOTE: Also receiving a single vote (thus not receiving honorable mention): Mason Shubert, Breese Central (received firs team vote); Kerr Bauman, Pontiac; x-Christian Bentancur, Marian Central; Aidan Parker, Robinson; Landon Sanders, Lawrenceville; x-Dylan Schmidt, Johnsburg. Now Chicago basketball, for those who do not know, has been known for decades when it comes to basketball. An overflow crowd stands outside Operation PUSH headquarters where the funeral services were held for slain Simeon High School basketball player Ben Wilson on Nov. 24, 1984. In 2006 he was a member of the NBA Champion MiamiHeat. One man's opinion after covering almost three decades of Illinois basketball. . He won five titles with the MinneapolisLakers in the 1950s, was a four-time NBA All-Star (including the All-Star GameMVP in 1953), was named first team All-NBA six times, led the NBA in scoring three times and led the league in rebounding once. 1 prep prospect before his life was cut short. School: Chicago (Ill.) Simeon. Friends, family and supporters celebrate as an honorary street sign is revealed and dedicated to Benji Wilson on Nov. 21, 2022, in Chicago. 15 in Conference USA history. Hambric's first full season ended with a 59-58 loss to Westinghouse in the Public League semifinals. : https://t.co/hpR7JLDheo pic.twitter.com/6uMmDabNSs. High school: Thornwood College: N/A Career highlights: 2012 NBA Champion After being named Mr. Basketball in Illinois at the conclusion of his prepcareer at Thornwood, Curry opted to skip college and go pro. The school retired No. Will Simeon or any state champion ever measure up to Thornridge's gold-standard performance over Quincy (104-69) in the 1972 state final? St. Ignatius senior Richard Baron (23) takes the ball to the basket and scores a key basket in the second overtime of the Wolfpack's Supersectional . The 2012 ESPN 30 for 30 documentary titled "Benji" introduced Wilson's story to a new generation of Chicago ballers, such as Nunn, who ultimately took it and ran with it. Mikan was so dominant thatthe NBA had to make rules changes because of him, including a wider lane andintroducing a shot clock. In 2016, Nunn was dismissed from the Illinois basketball team for pleading guilty to misdemeanor domestic battery. When you look around college basketball and the NBA, Chicago has their hand print all over it. It was Simeon's first loss to a Public League team in 69 games. Who would you choose to lead your team, Parker or Quinn Buckner? It is all about the school and winning than it is about self. He was named first team All-NBA in 1997 and his career averageof 8.2 assists per game is the twelfth best mark in NBA history. Brock played star high school ball at Simeon Career Academy of the Chicago Public League. Nunn learned about the 35-year anniversary of Wilson's death ahead of Friday's tipoff. "When I play the game, I don't think about anyone in the stands or anything like that. High school: ProvisoEast College: Michigan State University Career highlights: 2x NBA champion Shannon, no relation to Dee, was named Mr. Basketball in Illinois in 2003 andalso starred at a Big Ten university, taking his talents to East Lansing. He competed in the 2001 NBA Slam Dunk Contest. He was considered among the best prep centers in thecountry, and opted to play at Wisconsin. (21 PTS) led Chicago Simeon to 64-60 FOUR Overtime win vs Chicago Curie to advance to the City Championship . Vernon (5-11, Jr., PG) 6; Craig Niko Newsome, Bloomington (6-5, Jr., F/G) 6; x-Tyler Swanson, Metamora 6. 8147 S Vincennes Chicago, IL 60620-1761. He was also a member of the gold medal-winning teamin the 1976 Olympics in Montreal. (Michael Blackshire / Chicago Tribune), Nazareth Glenn attends the honorary street sign dedication for Ben Wilson on Nov. 21, 2022, in Chicago. Wilson was affectionately known as Benji.. Buckner was the national player of the year in 1972 and was recruited by John Wooden of UCLA and Bob Knight of Indiana. 1 prep player in the nation in 1984, the first from Illinois to earn that ranking. Win the regional. It was the best team produced by legendary coach Morgan Wootten.<\/p>\n

Interestingly, Thornridge 1972 ranked ahead of Oscar Robertson's 1955 Indianapolis Crispis Attucks team and Wilt Chamberlain's 1955 Philadelphia Overbrook team.<\/p>\n

The author, Scott Lynn (real name: Scott Betzelberger), has an interesting background in Illinois high school basketball. He won the 2005 NBAThree Point Shootout championship. For example, Lynn researched how the issue of racial integration was overcome when black students were enrolled at the previously all-white school. Sitting courtside in a No. 25 in Wilson's honor. 105-34 (L) Simeon @ Kenwood. 10. Joining them soon will be Simeon alum and Duke star Jabari Parker, who's projected as one of the top picks in the June 26 NBA draft. Hewent on to have one of the finest careers in the history of the FightingIllini, averaging 18 points per game over his four-year career. He is the Heats all-timeleading scorer, was named the 2006 NBA Finals MVP, the 2010 NBA All-Star GameMVP and won the 2009 NBA scoring title. He was captain of Lincoln's 1971-72 team that was rated behind Thornridge for much of the regular season. Feb 15, 2013 at 6:24 pm. Nazareth Glenn attends the honorary street sign dedication for Ben Wilson on Nov. 21, 2022, in Chicago. He played 12 seasons in the NBA,winning an NBA championship in 1970 and playing in the 1972 All-Star Game. Famous alumni include Derrick Rose, Kendrick Nunn, Jabari Parker, Bobby Simmons, Talen Horton-Tucker, and others. He captained Indiana's unbeaten 1976 NCAA championship team, the 1976 U.S. Olympic team and one of the Boston Celtics' NBA championship teams.<\/p>\n

"Quinn Buckner was the most mature high school athlete I ever saw, both physically and mentally. So for my son to come back to Chitown, him and [Atlanta Hawks forward] Jabari Parker, they're just keeping that Simeon tradition alive.". He is a collector of elite sports memorabilia and a cigar connoisseur. 25 retro Wilson high school jersey was David Moore, Chicago 17th Ward Alderman who is also a member of the Simeon class of 1984. He was a member of the 2009 and 2010NBA Champion Los Angeles Lakers. Never charged by the NCAA in the Bruce Pearl/Jimmy Collins . Began season outside the Tribune Top 15 despite the previous team's success and did not duplicate it. In his fourth season in the NBA he started a career-high 74games for the LA Clippers and his point-per-game average more than doubled to16.4, earning him the leagues Most Improved Player Award for the 2004-05season. After playing basketball and graduating from Southern Illinois in 1976, he set out on a career in radioTV broadcasting. Ben Wilson, an American high school basketball star from Neal F. Simeon High School in Chicago, Illinois, USA, was shot in the neighborhood surrounding the school during its lunch hour on November 20, 1984.Wilson died from injuries sustained in the shooting the following morning. Simeon Wolverines Varsity Boys Basketball Chicago, IL FOLLOW TEAM 22-23 V. Basketball Home Schedule Roster Standings Rankings Photos Videos News More / Basketball All-Time Roster Simeon Basketball History Previous Seasons All-Time Roster 2022-23 ( 14 players) Head Coach: Robert Smith Wilson was a top basketball prospect at Simeon High School when he was murdered during his senior year in 1984. The 1975-76 Hoosier squad remains the last team to complete an undefeatedseason with a championship. Could Thornridge make the transition to today's fast-paced style? He died the next day. Expand. He died the next day. Small guard with a big heart, Proviso East High School (Maywood, Ill.) product led 2005 team to best year in school history. Melvin was a sophomore teammate of Wilson's as he . Dunbar boasted three NBA first-round picks in the 1987 draft--Reggie Williams, Muggsy Bogues and Reggie Lewis. He captained Indiana's unbeaten 1976 NCAA championship team, the 1976 U.S. Olympic team and one of the Boston Celtics' NBA championship teams. which has No. I'm trying to win the game. Get back to state. Another future NBA player, David Wingate, also was a starter. Register as an alumni from Simeon High School and reunite with old friends and classmates. Organized w/the Simeon High School athletic fan in mind. The Bob Hambric era begins in 1980 with the mid-season firing of Lamont Bryant. Simeon High School (Chicago, IL) Varsity Basketball Simeon Wolverines Varsity Boys Basketball Chicago, IL FOLLOW TEAM 22-23 V. Basketball Home Schedule Roster Rankings Photos Videos News More / Simeon High School Basketball Simeon Basketball OVERALL 32-4 0.89 Win % CONFERENCE 8-2 2nd in Conference HOME8-1 AWAY6-1 NEUTRAL18-2 PF2494 PA1736 STREAK1L The closest any other state champion came was La Grange and Ted Caiazza in 1953, which went 29-0 without allowing any opponent to come within nine points. Players received five points for a first-team vote and three points for a second-team vote. Watch on ESPN+. In the era prior to the three-point shot, the Falcons averaged 88 points per game. Buckner was the seventh overall pick in the1976 NBA Draft, and won an NBA championship with Boston in 1984. Aviyon Morris and Jaylen Drane have been on varsity since they were freshmen. High school: King College Prep High School College: University of Illinois Career highlights:McDonalds All-America, Parade Playerof the Year In 1987, Parade named Liberty the high schoolPlayer of the Year and McDonalds named him an All-American after he had ledKing to the 1986 state championship and a runner-up finish in 1987; Liberty set a state record with 143 points in the 1987 tournament. Alice Campbell Alumni Center Buckner, whose mother was a teacher in the district and whose sister later became superintendent of the district, and Batts were among the first African-Americans to attend the Dolton school. (Ed Wagner, Jr. / Chicago Tribune), Simeon High School basketball star Ben Wilson on Nov. 13, 1984. LIST OF VOTERS (30) Derek Bayne, WREX-TV Rockford; Aaron Britton, Nesto Hoops.com; Josh Brown, Robinson Daily News; Jack Bullock, A Baseline View (Southern Illinois); Jimmy Dean, WGGH radio Marion; Adam Duvall, Peoria Journal Star; Charlie Ellerbrock, The Times (Ottawa/Streator); Kevin Hieronymus, Bureau County Republican; Brian Hoxsey, The Times (Ottawa/Streator); Johnston City Newsbreak; Fred Kroner, Mahomet Daily; Colin Likas, Champaign News-Gazette; Randy List, Centralia Morning Sentinel; Jim Mattson, WEEK-TV Peoria/Bloomington; Erich Murphy, Pontiac Daily Leader; Seth Pote, Chicagoland Prep Hoops.com; Dick Quagliano, Chicago Daily Herald; Randy Reinhardt, Bloomington Pantagraph; Matt Rodewald, IHSA TV Network; Greg Sapp, WXEF-WKJT radio Effingham; Mason Schweizer, Kankakee Daily Journal; Steve Tappa, MC22-TV Quad Cities/QCSportsNet/AP All-State chair; Matt Trowbridge, Rockford Register-Star; Greg Shashack, Alton Telegraph; Steve Soucie, Joliet Herald-News; Joe Stevenson, (Crystal Lake) Northwest Herald; Alex Wallner, Effingham Daily News; Josh Welge, Kendall County Record/Kane County Chronicle; William Welt, Springfield State Journal-Register; Matt Wilson, Carlyle Union Banner. (Heather Charles / Chicago Tribune), Simeon assistant coach Maurice Jones, left, helps with a framed portrait of Ben Wilson during a ceremony where the basketball team was being honored for their fourth consecutive Class 4A IHSA championship at Simeon High School in Chicago on March 20, 2013. But Thornridge was more than Buckner. 1 team in the nation. 3: Michael Ratliff. In one national poll of the top 25 high school teams of all time, Thornridge 1972 was rated No. The author, Scott Lynn (real name: Scott Betzelberger), has an interesting background in Illinois high school basketball. Senior guard Andre Battle, a future star at Loyola, teamed with Tony McCoy and Ivan Young to lead the "Big Blue Machine," as Simeon was often called, to a 20-0 start. By visiting ChooseChicago.com, you are consenting to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Who would you choose to lead your team, Parker or Quinn Buckner? (Nuccio DiNuzzo / Chicago Tribune). Melvin was a sophomore teammate of Wilson's as he entered his senior year ranked as the nation's No. In 2012, he was a member of the NBA champion Miami Heat. 1 prep player in the nation in 1984, the first from Illinois to earn that ranking. Students hold a candlelight vigil on Nov. 26, 1984, on the South Side, where Simeon High School basketball star Ben Wilson was slain the week before. They have the talent once again, and as always, will play an elite national schedule over the course of the season. By Michael O'Brien May 12, 2022, 3:43pm PDT Pocket Reddit Flipboard With that out of the way, we proudly present Chicagos all-time greatest basketball players. "If ever a team was a worthy subject for a great book like this one, this is it--the greatest high school team I ever saw," said Mike Downey, former sports columnist for the Los Angeles Times and Chicago Tribune who grew up in Chicago Heights and covered the Thornridge team for the Chicago Heights Star. High school: Proviso East College: University of Illinois Career highlights: 2005 Big Ten Player of the Year Brown was named Mr. Basketball in Illinois and won the Gatorade Player of theYear award in 2002. POINTS Macaleab Rich, East St. Louis (6-7, Sr., G/F) 94 Deandre Craig, Chicago Mount Carmel (6-1, Sr., G) 89 Jalen Griffith, Chicago Simeon (5-10, Sr., PG) 82 Ethan Kizer, Metamora (6-6, Sr., G) 77 Richard Barron, Chicago St. Ignatius (6-5, Sr., G) 76, SECOND TEAM NAME, SCHOOL (HT., YR., POS.) Though Simeon captured the Mayor's Trophy by winning the city holiday tournament, Hambric deemed it a rebuilding year. He has been credentialed to cover NFL, NBA, NHL, MLB and PGA events, including the 2002 NFL Draft, 2010 Stanley Cup Finals and 2010 BMW Championship, and his work has been featured on NHL.com, FoxSports.com and CBSSports.com. And that team was the same way. Jabari Parker and Derrick Rose face off tonight in Chicago, where they both attended Simeon Career Academy. POINTS Brock Harding, Moline (6-0, Sr., PG) 71 Niko Abusara, Lisle Benet (6-5, Sr., G) 60 Ahmad Henderson, Chicago Brother Rice (5-9, Sr., G) 34 Jake Fiegen, Winnetka New Trier (6-4, Sr., G) 33 Ben Oosterbaan, Hinsdale Central (6-6, Sr., G) 25. In 2004,he was named to the Illini All-Century Team. "That's huge man. By Joe Henricksen Feb 2, 2021, 8:07am PDT The winningest high school basketball programs of the decade: No. 25, the number Ben Wilson wore while he played for the team. In 2009, Kerr received the Naismith MemorialBasketball Hall of Fames John W. Bunn Lifetime Achievement Award. You know, I do not think anybody expected us to get where we got last season. He left Duke early and was the No. I asked coach Smith to reflect on last seasons team as they were also ranked as one of the top ranked public schools in the country. Sign up today to have alumni and campus news updates sent to your inbox via email once a month. Hewas a member of the 1983 NBA Champion Philadelphia 76ers. Future Mr. Basketball winner Deon Thomas was a somewhat raw sophomore. MOLINE, Ill. (AP) Here are the Illinois Associated Press Class 1A-4A All-State boys basketball teams as voted on by a statewide panel of newspaper sports writers/editors, TV/radio broadcasters, and internet-site editors/reporters. Like fellow Chicago Simeon alumni Derrick Rose of the Detroit Pistons, the undrafted Heat rookie Nunn continues to wear No. For the last 22 years, he has served as sports director of KEX Radio in Portland, Oregon.<\/p>\n

Lynn is a colon cancer survivor who underwent life-saving emergency surgery in 2008. 13 overall selection in the1999 NBA Draft. 11 pick by the Magic in 1989. Ben Wilson of Simeon High School was considered the No. He died Nov. 21, 1984, a day after he was shot near Simeon High School. The only two-time consensus All-American in program history, Granite City, Ill., native helped Illini win back-to-back Big Ten titles under Head Coach Doug Mills. In the 1970s, Illinois schools were restricted by travel limitations. Simeon High School basketball player Ben Wilson on Nov. 13, 1984. Jeffrey Wilson, center, talks to friends and family during a street sign dedication ceremony for his older brother, Ben Wilson, on Nov. 21, 2022, in Chicago. Curtis Glenn, Ben Wilson's oldest brother, center, accepts a framed team jersey from members of the Simeon High School boys basketball team on Nov. 14, 2009. 11y . Simeon has kept the trend of success going over the last few years, including last season where they reached the IHSA class 3A semifinals while playing a national schedule. Nunn scored 13 points in the first quarter before deferring to Jimmy Butler in the fourth quarter with Miami losing a 22-point lead, but he still had a solid game overall, going 8-for-14 from the field. Win the regional. I dont know. HONORABLE MENTION (19 TOTAL; IN ORDER OF POINTS) Jordan Pickett, Belleville East (6-3, Sr., PG/SG) 21; Jack Stanton, Downers Grove North (6-2, Jr., G) 21; Nojus Indrusaitis, Chicago St. Rita (6-5, Jr., G/F) 15; James Brown, Chicago St. Rita (6-10, Jr., C) 14; Daniel Johnson, Chicago Whitney Young (6-7, Sr., F) 14; Stefan Cicic, Riverside-Brookfield (6-11, Jr., C) 11; Dalen Davis, Chicago Whitney Young (6-0, Sr., G) 11; Brayden Fagbemi, Lisle Benet (6-0, Sr., G) 11; Mekhi Cooper, Bolingbrook (6-0, Sr., G) 9; Brady Kunka, Lisle Benet (6-4, Sr., PF) 9; Mekhi Lowery, Oswego East High (6-7, Sr., G) 9; Niklas Polonowski, LaGrange Lyons Township (6-6, Sr., SG/SF) 9; Ryan Cohen, Glenbrook North (6-3, Sr., SG) 6; Jeremiah Fears, Joliet West (6-0, Soph., G) 6; Connor May, Palatine (6-7, Jr., G) 6; Braylen Meredith, Wheaton Warrenville South (6-6, Sr., F) 6; Jaheem Webber, Normal Community (6-9, Jr., C) 6; Luke Williams, Naperville North (6-1, Jr., G) 6; Koby Wilmoth, OFallon (6-7, Sr., F) 6. "Whether he has 30 points or zero points, his facial expression and body language would look the same.". HONORABLE MENTION (21 TOTAL; IN ORDER OF POINTS) Jurrell Baldwin, Chicago Hyde Park (6-6, Jr., F) 37; Tyler Mason, Metamora (6-1, Jr., G) 30; Wesley Rubin, Chicago Simeon (6-8, Sr., G/F) 30; Darrion Baker, Hillcrest (6-8, Sr., F) 25; Jake Hamilton, Springfield Sacred Heart-Griffin (6-4, Sr., G) 22; Artavious Smith, Peoria Richwoods (6-1, Jr., G) 15; Cooper LePage, Crystal Lake South (6-1, Sr., G) 14; Christian Benning, Streator (6-2, Jr., PG) 12; Samuel Lewis, Chicago Simeon (6-6, Sr., G) 12; Cruz Harlan, Centralia (5-9, Jr., G) 11; Troyer Carlson, Maple Park Kaneland (6-3, Jr., SG) 8; Anthony Jabe Haith, Aurora Marmion (6-3, Sr., PG) 8; Lyncoln Koester, Mount Zion (6-3, Soph., PG) 8; Bryce Tillery, Hillcrest (5-10, Sr., G) 8; Larenz Walters, Kankakee (6-1, Jr., G) 8; Matas Castillo, Lemont (6-0, Sr., PG) 6; Rokas Castillo, Lemont (6-0, Sr., SG) 6; Andre Klaver, Sterling (6-3, Jr., G) 6; Navontae Nesbit Jr., Mt. (Ovie Carter / Chicago Tribune), An overflow crowd stands outside Operation PUSH headquarters where the funeral services were held for slain Simeon High School basketball player Ben Wilson on Nov. 24, 1984. -- NOTE: Also receiving a single vote (thus not receiving honorable mention): Garrett Wolfe, Effingham (received first team vote); Marquel Newsome, Peoria Richwoods; Evan Nolle, Marion; Cesar Ortiz, Woodstock North; Jevon Warren, Thornton Fractional North. He was the second overall pick in the 2010 NBA Draft by the Philadelphia 76ers. (Ed Wagner, Jr. / Chicago Tribune), Ben Wilson Sr. arrives at St. Bernard Hospital on Nov. 20, 1984, in Chicago after his son Ben Wilson was shot in the chest during his lunch hour near Simeon High School. When theChicago Bulls won the 2008 NBA Draft Lottery, there was no question who wouldbe the top overall pick. He then signed a three-year, $3.1 million deal with the Heat this past April. High school: King College: University of Wisconsin Career highlights: 1993 Illinois Mr. BasketballGriffith was half of the Twin Towers at King in the early 1990s, starringnext to Thomas Hamilton. 4 behind Baltimore Dunbar 1983, New York City's Power Memorial 1964 and Hyattsville, Md., De Matha 1965.<\/p>\n

Dunbar boasted three NBA first-round picks in the 1987 draft--Reggie Williams, Muggsy Bogues and Reggie Lewis. Simeon coach Robert Smith holds a framed poster of Ben Wilson during a ceremony honoring his basketball team for their four consecutive state championships at Simeon High School in Chicago on March 20, 2013. I really think we have a really good shot at it here in Illinois and I do believe we will be one of the best teams in the country. Coach Smith answered. He died Nov. 21, 1984, a day after he was shot near Simeon High School. High school: Simeon Career AcademyCollege: MemphisCareer highlights: 2009 NBA Rookieof the Year, 2011 NBA MVP, 3x NBA All-Star Rose was the top point guard in the country coming out of Simeon, and ledMemphis to the NCAA Championship Game in his only collegiate season.