Just the rich tradition of Simeon basketball. High school: Westinghouse College: University of Illinois Career highlights: 1989 NBA Sixth Man of the YearJohnson was named to the Illini Mens Basketball All-Century Team in 2004,and went on to play 17 seasons in the NBA. The vigil was held at the Benjamin E. Mayo and Elmer L. Fowler Historic Gallery in Chicago. 25, the number Ben Wilson wore while he played for the team. Steve Turner, a 6-foot-10 forward, is turning out how we thought he would be as a freshman and he starting to get that capability to do some stuff. Ben Wilson was the nation's top-rated prep basketball player when he was slain near Simeon High School. In 2012, he was a member of the NBA champion Miami Heat. 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. High school basketball: Breaking down the Class 3A state finals A force on the glass, his 11.3 rebounds-per-game is a school record. This website uses cookies to ensure the best experience, which you consent to by clicking Got It. Learn more about how we handle your personal data and rights by reviewing our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. As acoach, he won the NBA Coach of the Year while with the Orlando Magic in 2000,and won an NBA championship as coach of the Boston Celtics in 2008. Only four other teams came within 20 points. (James Mayo / Chicago Tribune), A teacher consoles Simeon High School students as they grieve for their schoolmate Ben Wilson on Nov. 21, 1984. He died Nov. 21, 1984, a day after he was shot near Simeon High School. Status: SI All-American Candidate. High school: Simeon Career AcademyCollege: University of IllinoisCareer highlights: 1989 Illinois Mr.Basketball, Illini All-Century Team Thomas was a McDonalds All-American and Illinois Mr. Basketball in 1989. Call it a generational version of Beatle-mania. On Friday, 35 years later, Melvin's son Kendrick Nunn would make his hometown debut against the Chicago Bulls. 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. Register as an alumni from Simeon High School and reunite with old friends and classmates. High school: Simeon Career Academy College: University of Illinois Career highlights: Key member of the "Flyin' Illini" Final Four team Anderson was named Mr. Basketball in 1986 and led the University of Illinois to the Final Four in 1989. 11 overall pick by the OrlandoMagic (the first pick in that franchises history) in 1989. The author, Scott Lynn (real name: Scott Betzelberger), has an interesting background in Illinois high school basketball. There was no set starting lineup as the core of the 1984 state-championship team Ben Wilson, Tim Bankston, Rodney Hull, Bobby Tribble and Kenny Allen were getting their varsity feet wet. It was eliminated by Collins 67-58 in the Public League quarterfinals. The Wolverines are expected to be ranked in the preseason top-25 national rankings and public school rankings coming into the 2022-2023 high school season. "He always looks the same, I think that would be a great meme, isn't that what you call it?" 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. Wilson, affectionately known as Benji, was a top high school basketball prospect at Simeon High School when he was murdered during his senior year in 1984. 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. Mr. Simeon married Helen and to this union was born daughter Sharon A. Simeon. . No Illinois team before or since has ever done it better.<\/p>\n

That is the challenge that confronts Simeon this season.<\/p>\n", mps => {"league":"","sport":"","sponsor":""}, chrome_data => "{\"league\":\"\",\"sport\":\"\",\"sponsor\":\"\"}", image => {"uri":"public:\/\/archive\/assets_article\/chicago\/2011\/12\/06\/604768.png","alt":"604768.png","title":"Remembering Thornridge -- 40 years later"}, fb_url => "https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/dialog\/share?app_id=330072974228200&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nbcsports.com%2Fchicago%2Fremembering-thornridge-40-years-later&display=popup", tw_url => "https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=Remembering%20Thornridge%20--%2040%20years%20later&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nbcsports.com%2Fchicago%2Fremembering-thornridge-40-years-later&original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nbcsports.com%2Fchicago%2Fremembering-thornridge-40-years-later", mailto => "mailto:?subject=Remembering%20Thornridge%20--%2040%20years%20later&body=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nbcsports.com%2Fchicago%2Fremembering-thornridge-40-years-later", meta => {"file":"\/mnt\/gfs\/rsnunited\/sites\/default\/files\/archive\/article\/chicago\/remembering-thornridge-40-years-later.json","assets":["public:\/\/archive\/assets_article\/chicago\/2011\/12\/06\/604768.png"]}, orig_image => {"uri":"public:\/\/2016\/04\/11\/604768.png","alt":"604768.png","title":"Remembering Thornridge -- 40 years later"}. St. Ignatius, Chicago - 3rd Floor gym, not used for varsity. And that team was the same way. 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. (Michael Blackshire / Chicago Tribune), Nazareth Glenn attends the honorary street sign dedication for Ben Wilson on Nov. 21, 2022, in Chicago. Simeon in the '80s | A year by year breakdown - Chicago Tribune 11 overall pick by the Orlando Magic (the first pick in that franchise's history) in 1989. Organized w/the Simeon High School athletic fan in mind. School: Chicago (Ill.) Simeon. "He was hilarious," said Carlil Pittman, Good Kids Mad City. Winningest high school basketball programs of the decade: No. 1 Simeon He wrote: "Win the conference. In 1996, Walker led UK to the NCAAChampionship before turning pro. 1 team in the nation. 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 grew up in North Carolina and, as synonymous as MJ is with the 3-1-2, we cant claim his roots. It is the Falcons' unprecedented record of achievement that Simeon is chasing this season. Copyright University of Illinois Alumni Association , Alice Campbell Alumni Center Paver Program, University of Illinois Alumni Association Giving Program. On 2/17, the Simeon varsity basketball team lost their away playoff game against Kenwood (Chicago, IL) by a score of 105-34 . alias => "chicago\/\/remembering-thornridge-40-years-later", title => "Remembering Thornridge -- 40 years later", article_body => "

Simeon's 2011-12 basketball team has stirred up considerable excitement. Since retiring,he has served as the head coach of the Portland Trail Blazers and the 76ers. Bynum has served as a mentor for Nunn in trying to keep him on the right track. I just dont think we get enough credit on what we do or how we play but it is what it is. He explains. Melvin was a sophomore teammate of Wilson's as he entered his senior year ranked as the nation's No. Wilson died after being shot near the school. Simeon High School (Chicago, IL) Varsity Basketball - MaxPreps.com "When I was in high school that's when I first really found out about it and learned the history about Simeon and Benji and then watching the documentary when it came out, the 30 for 30.". Unfortunately. Other Links > Basketball > Top Ranked Basketball Players by High School . Prospect: PG Ahamad Bynum. 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 . Lynn's book, "Thornridge: The Perfect Season in Black and White," published by AuthorHouse, brings back memories for high school basketball fans throughout Illinois. High school: Chicago Vocational College: University of Michigan Career highlights: 2012 NBA Champion, 1996 NBA All-Star Howard was a member of the famous Fab Five teams at Michigan that played inthe 1992 and 1993 NCAA Championship Games. We are one of the few schools in the state that has been on top since the 70s. Coach Smith says regarding the culture and history behind Simeon High School. On that day, Chicago prep hoops legend Ben Wilson was killed at age 17. Like fellow Chicago Simeon alumni Derrick Rose of the Detroit Pistons, the undrafted Heat rookie Nunn continues to wear No. By Joe Henricksen Feb 2, 2021, 8:07am PDT The winningest high school basketball programs of the decade: No. High school: Mount CarmelCollege: KentuckyCareer highlights: 2006 NBAChampion, 3x NBA All-Star Walker played with Donovan McNabb at Mount Carmel before heading to play onRick Pitinos Wildcats at Kentucky. High school basketball: A look back on the legacy of Simeon basketball The Rubin twins had transferred in and they had a really great season for us. He was considered among the best prep centers in thecountry, and opted to play at Wisconsin. 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. pic.twitter.com/mB3fP6rCBy. 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.<\/p>\n

Lynn focuses on other fascinating human-interest stories that played out beyond the basketball courthow Ferguson was able to maintain discipline among his players, how Greg Rose had to work nights as a musician to support his family, Ferguson confessed that he rarely slept because he was worried that he would make a mistake that would cause his once-in-a-lifetime team to lose a game.<\/p>\n

One incident tells you all you need to know about the Thornridge team: During a team meeting prior to the start of the season, Ferguson was listing his team's goals on a chalkboard. Wilson was affectionately known as Benji.. Ben Wilson with Simeon coach Bob Hambric (left) in November of 1984. Simeon's third city championship in five years tasted a bit sweeter because it came against King. He captained Indiana's unbeaten 1976 NCAA championship team, the 1976 U.S. Olympic team and one of the Boston Celtics' NBA championship teams. (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. He died Nov. 21, 1984, a day after he was shot near Simeon High School. Small guard with a big heart, Proviso East High School (Maywood, Ill.) product led 2005 team to best year in school history. He is the father of Matthew and Bobby and husband of Kristin who was a Clarendon Hills Little League All Star, played football, swam and ran track at Hinsdale Central High School and played football at Taylor University (Upland, IN). Simeon High School . It is all about the school and winning than it is about self. The culture is just what it is, its just a winning culture. Again, wed like to claim him, but cannot. In a few cases, records found in Tribune archives varied slightly. Aviyon Morris and Jaylen Drane have been on varsity since they were freshmen. 11y . McNeal was also a Simeon High School student, and a member of Good Kids Mad City, a youth organization that fights to end violence. Simeon High School basketball player Ben Wilson on Nov. 13, 1984. Simeon basketball star Ben Wilson, right, with his coach, Bob Hambric, at Simeon in 1984. POINTS Andrew Scharnowski, Burlington Central (6-9, Sr., F) 73 Zack Hawkinson, Springfield Heart-Griffin (6-5, Sr., G/F) 71 Asa Thomas, Lake Forest (6-7, Sr., G) 64 Cooper Koch, Peoria Notre Dame (6-8, Jr., F) 57 Miles Rubin, Chicago Simeon (6-10, Sr., F/C) 56. 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. 2023 Choose Chicago. Another future NBA player, David Wingate, also was a starter. Friends, family and supporters celebrate as an honorary street sign is revealed and dedicated to Benji Wilson on Nov. 21, 2022, in Chicago. Rose won the 2009 NBA Rookie of the year and hasplayed in three All-Star Games. Calvin Brock (basketball) - Wikipedia It was the best team produced by legendary coach Morgan Wootten. Lost to Manley and Russell Cross 77-70 in the Public League playoffs. At Illinois, Liberty wasa key member of the Flyin Illini Final Four team in 1988-89. Hambric told the Tribune in February he didn't think Simeon was getting the attention it deserved. Home - Neal F. Simeon Bio. - Simeon Career Academy Simeon High School basketball player Ben Wilson on Nov. 13, 1984. Get Directions. In a 33-0 season, Thornridge never allowed an opponent to come within 14 points. Sitting courtside in a No. One incident tells you all you need to know about the Thornridge team: During a team meeting prior to the start of the season, Ferguson was listing his team's goals on a chalkboard. Simeon in the '80s | The all-decade team - Chicago Tribune Could Simeon break Thornridge's suffocating 1-2-1-1 zone press that devastated every opponent? I'm still carrying the legacy myself so that's huge for me," Kendrick Nunn said of Wilson.