Get Directions. CPS Boys Basketball Championship Simeon 15, Kenwood 18 at the end of the 1st . In November 1984, the 6-foot-8 Wilson was on top of the prep basketball world, as "Benji" captures in gripping detail. The New OrleansHornets made him the number one overall pick in the 2012 NBA Draft. Three-time team MVP had a long pro career overseas before returning to the U.S. to coach. The most important season in school history began with the No. (John Dziekan / Chicago Tribune), Friends and family mourn slain Simeon High School basketball star Ben Wilson during a brief graveside service at Oakwood Cemetery on Nov. 24, 1984. He then signed a three-year, $3.1 million deal with the Heat this past April. Simeon High School basketball player Ben Wilson on Nov. 13, 1984. So for my son to come back to Chitown, him and [Atlanta Hawks forward] Jabari Parker, they're just keeping that Simeon tradition alive.". "Quinn Buckner was the most mature high school athlete I ever saw, both physically and mentally. HONORABLE MENTION (31 TOTAL; IN ORDER OF POINTS) Dylan Murphy, Columbia (6-7, Sr., F) 32; Owen Treat, Vienna (6-2, Jr., G) 31; Devon Peebles, Pana (6-3, Sr., G) 29; PJ Chambers, Chicago DePaul College Prep (6-2, Jr., G) 24; Isaac Hosman, Metropolis Massac County (6-0, Jr., PG) 24; Gavin Arthalony, Petersburg PORTA (6-2, Sr., G) 23; Mason Funk, Normal U-High (6-5, Sr., SG/SF) 23; Riley Weber, Pontiac (6-4, Jr., G/F) 23; Teegan Davis, Princeton (6-2, Sr., G) 22; Mac Resetich, Spring Valley Hall (6-0, Sr., G) 22; Christian Cummings, Rockford Christian (5-10, Soph., SG) 21; Caden Hawkins, Carterville (6-0, Sr., PG) 19; Cannon Leonard, Gilman Iroquois West (6-9, Sr., C) 19; Jaxson Provost, Kankakee Bishop McNamara (5-10, Sr., PG) 19; Tyler Heffren, Eureka (6-4, Jr., F) 17; Calvin Worsham, Chicago Christ The King (6-7, Jr., F) 16; Maurice Thomas, Chicago DePaul College Prep (6-0, Jr., G) 15; Grant Fridley, Trenton Wesclin (6-2, Sr., PG) 14; Paxton Giertz, Seneca (6-0, Soph., PG) 14; Adyn McGinley, Beecher (6-0, Jr., G) 14; Bennett Briles, Nashville (6-9, Sr., F/C) 13; Bryant Jenkins, Lawrenceville (6-3, Jr., F) 10; Cody Dickshot, Breese Central (5-10, Sr., G) 9; Docker Tedeschi, Benton (6-8, Soph., C) 9; Jacob Finley, Williamsville (6-9, Sr., C) 6; Karsen Konkel, Pinckneyville (6-6, Jr., C) 6; Cooper Loll, Robinson (6-5, Sr., G) 6; Connor Mowery, Johnston City (6-0, Sr., G) 6; Zach Powell, Pleasant Plains (6-5, Sr., F) 6; Wes Shats, Braidwood Reed-Custer (6-5, Sr., C) 6; James Stevenson Jr., Momence (6-7, Sr., G) 6. He also ranks in the Top 10 in rebounds and blocked shots. 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. He competed in the 2001 NBA Slam Dunk Contest. Simeon High School Alumni, Class Reunions, Yearbooks, Wolverines Classmates, and more! School: Chicago (Ill.) Simeon. . 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. Cheeks still ranks 11thall-time in assists and fifth all-time in steals in NBA history. Could Thornridge make the transition to today's fast-paced style? Expand. 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. High school: Whitney YoungCollege: DePaulCareer highlights: Conference USAPlayer of the Year, 2005 NBA Three Point Shootout champion Richardson led Whitney Young to a state championship and was named a McDonaldsAll-American before staying home in Chicago to play at DePaul. He is a nine-time NBA All-Star and, in2006, was named the Sportsman of the Year by both the Sporting News and SportsIllustrated. Tony Pruitt was the featured player. For a basketball city that continues to endure a dark cloud decades later behind one of its greatest players never reaching his full potential, seeing Nunn in action was able to bring a bright spot. Vitals: 6-foot-3, 175 pounds. 2: Jalen Griffith . Mr. Basketball Eric Anderson got the better of Thomas, and St. Francis De Sales rallied from an 11-point fourth-quarter deficit to beat Simeon 60-57 in overtime in the state Elite Eight. It's great to see it, especially for kids from the same situation that I'm from, with the same upbringing because a lot of us don't get that opportunity.". 15 in Conference USA history. Get back to state. Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Resources CPS Non-Discrimination Statement Simeon Career Academy Simeon Career Academy. A five-player first team and five-player second team were selected in each class. Famous alumni include Derrick Rose, Kendrick Nunn, Jabari Parker, Bobby Simmons, Talen Horton-Tucker, and others. Sign up today to have alumni and campus news updates sent to your inbox via email once a month. He plans on retiring after this upcoming high school season and I had the chance to speak with him regarding that, history of the program, Chicago basketball, and more. He captained Indiana's unbeaten 1976 NCAA championship team, the 1976 U.S. Olympic team and one of the Boston Celtics' NBA championship teams. A nine-inch growth spurt over two years and the will to . Simeon basketball star Ben Wilson, right, with his coach, Bob Hambric, at Simeon in 1984. Nunn earned his roster spot with an impressive summer, and solidified his place in Miami's rotation with an impressive training camp and preseason. 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. De Matha, the team that snapped Power Memorial's 71-game winning streak was led by Bob Whitmore, Sid Catlett, Bernard Williams Mickie Wiles and Ernie Austin. Afternoon Briefing: WXRT star Terri Hemmert recounts fatal New Orleans shooting, Quinn Schambow has more than a great arm to be Libertyvilles quarterback and catcher as a sophomore, Bill would allow 14-year-olds to serve alcohol in Wisconsin. Sweet shooter, who beat Magic Johnson and Michigan State in 1979, spent 17 years in the NBA. 3: Michael Ratliff. In 1996, Walker led UK to the NCAAChampionship before turning pro. Our guard play was second to none, they were really really good. Again, wed like to claim him, but cannot. "I was in class and somebody woke me up, because I was sleep," Melvin Nunn told ESPN during halftime, while reflecting on Wilson's death. Mount Carmel H.S., Chicago - Alumni Gym; New Trier H.S. Though Simeon captured the Mayor's Trophy by winning the city holiday tournament, Hambric deemed it a rebuilding year. Aviyon Morris and Jaylen Drane have been on varsity since they were freshmen. The Canton, Ohio, native had two of the highest-scoring seasons in program history, averaging better than 20 twice. The winningest high school basketball programs of the decade: No. CLASS 1A FIRST TEAM NAME, SCHOOL (HT., YR., POS.) High school: Perspectives Charter School College: University of Kentucky Career highlights: 2011-12 NCAA Player of the Year (AP, Naismith, JohnWooden Award), Final Four M.O.P. Chicago Simeon High School product starred for the Flyin Illini, averaging 18 points his junior season. In the 1970s, Illinois schools were restricted by travel limitations. The author, Scott Lynn (real name: Scott Betzelberger), has an interesting background in Illinois high school basketball. He is the schools career leader in steals and assists. Copyright University of Illinois Alumni Association , Alice Campbell Alumni Center Paver Program, University of Illinois Alumni Association Giving Program. St. Ignatius, Chicago - 3rd Floor gym, not used for varsity. The team had a 71-game winning streak.<\/p>\n

De Matha, the team that snapped Power Memorial's 71-game winning streak was led by Bob Whitmore, Sid Catlett, Bernard Williams Mickie Wiles and Ernie Austin. ', "It was a sad day, a sad year and it's pretty much always sad, and this is 35 years ago. High school: Fenwick College: Duke University Career highlights:McDonalds All-America Maggette was anAll-American at Fenwick before spending only one year with the Duke BlueDevils. Simeon High School basketball star Ben Wilson on Nov. 13, 1984. ESPN's award-winning documentary series. In the 1970s, Illinois schools were restricted by travel limitations. Wilson was shot twice the previous day by Billy Moore and his cousin Omar Dixon, who were 16 at the time, during lunch hour near Simeon High School. 1 player in the country and convinced Nick Anderson and Deon Butler to transfer to Simeon in the offseason. The vigil was held at the Benjamin E. Mayo and Elmer L. Fowler Historic Gallery in Chicago. Phone: (773) 535-3200 Fax: (773) 535-3465. High school: Tilden College: University of Illinois Career highlights: 1955 NBA Champion, 3x NBA All-Star, 1967 NBACoach of the Year Around Chicago indeed, the state of Illinois there arent many men in andaround the game of basketball that are loved as universally as Johnny RedKerry. The gravesite of Ben Wilson at Oak Woods Cemetery in Chicago on Nov. 10, 2009. Call it a generational version of Beatle-mania.<\/p>\n

Coach Robert Smith's Wolverines, heavily favored to win their third state championship in a row and fifth in seven years, are being touted as the No. 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. High school basketball: Simeon's expanding NBA legacy - Chicago Sun-Times High School Basketball Sports High School Sports Simeon's expanding NBA legacy Wolverines coach Robert Smith has four players in the NBA and a fifth battling for a roster spot. 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. "When I play the game, I don't think about anyone in the stands or anything like that. 601 S. Lincoln Avenue He was a key member of the Bad Boy back-to-back NBAchampion Detroit Pistons in 1989 and 1990. 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. Nazareth Glenn attends the honorary street sign dedication for Ben Wilson on Nov. 21, 2022, in Chicago. He was the sixth overall pick in the 1996Draft by the Boston Celtics, with whom he played for seven years and appearedin three NBA All-Star Games. 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. That is what kind of took us over the top, with those guys. 12 overall pick in the 1983 NBADraft. By visiting ChooseChicago.com, you are consenting to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. In one national poll of the top 25 high school teams of all time, Thornridge 1972 was rated No. 18 overall pick in the 2000 NBA Draft by the LA Clippers. 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). In a few cases, records found in Tribune archives varied slightly. A daily sports newsletter delivered to your inbox for your morning commute. Named All-American and won three national awards. High school: Carver College: University of Texas at El Paso Career highlights: 5x NBA All-Star Hardaway was selected with the No. (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. He played one year of football at Indiana before quitting to concentrate on basketball. And countless others that lets face it would beat you pretty soundly in a game of H-O-R-S-E. To celebrate this longstanding tradition of basketball excellence, weve rather poetically put together a list of Chicagos greatest all-time basketball players. Adam Duvall is a . Point guard from Quincy, Ill., could score. Only four other teams came within 20 points. High school: WestinghouseCollege: DePaulCareer highlights: 3x NBA all-star, 2x NBA champion Aguirre was voted both the AP and Naismith Player of the Year his final seasonat DePaul (1979-80) and was the first overall selection in the 1980 NBA Draftby the Dallas Mavericks. He wrote his book on Thornridge while undergoing chemotherapy during the summer of 2009.<\/p>\n

"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.<\/p>\n

Though his Lincoln team never had an opportunity to play against Thornridge in 1971-72, Lynn was always fascinated by the aura of coach Ron Ferguson's team and its dominant players--Quinn Buckner, Boyd Batts, Mike Bonczyk, Greg Rose and Ernie Dunn.<\/p>\n

Buckner was the national player of the year in 1972 and was recruited by John Wooden of UCLA and Bob Knight of Indiana. Let the "old-school versus modern-times" debate rage on.<\/p>\n

Could Thornridge make the transition to today's fast-paced style? 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. 1 team in the nation. 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. The previous spring, he had led Simeon to the first state championship in . The schools career scoring leader before Thomas came along, he still stands seventh. Late in the 2006-07 season, hewas traded to the San Antonio Spurs, with whom he won an NBA Championship thatspring. High school: Archbishop Quigley Preparatory SeminaryCollege: DePaulCareer highlights: Inducted intoHall of Fame in 1959, five-time NBA Champion Mikan was one of the first great big men in the NBA, and his incredible list ofaccolades attests to his dominance. He left Duke early and was the No. (Nuccio DiNuzzo / Chicago Tribune). Jalen Griffin, who was a junior last season, has been on varsity since he was a freshmen also and they have been through the wars already. He answers. Wilson was affectionately known as Benji. (Michael Blackshire / Chicago Tribune), Ben Wilson of Simeon High School was considered the No. The Bob Hambric era begins in 1980 with the mid-season firing of Lamont Bryant. Print. He grew up in North Carolina and, as synonymous as MJ is with the 3-1-2, we cant claim his roots. Of course weve had a lot of great players that come through here. All selections listed in order of voting points. "That's huge man. 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. Big night for UA Elite 24 alumni. Simeon basketball coach Robert Smith will retire after next season Robert Smith, the most successful boys high school basketball coach in state history, is closing in on 500 wins and has a record six state titles and seven city titles. Lincoln, Ill., native is fourth on the schools career scoring chart. 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. (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. (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. He was named first-team All Conference USA in 2001. 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. In 2004,he was named to the Illini All-Century Team. 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. 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. During his playing career, Rivers was an All-Starin 1988 and finished in the top five in the league in assists twice. 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. Lynn is a colon cancer survivor who underwent life-saving emergency surgery in 2008. The Illinis career scoring leader, who prepped at Chicago Simeon, stands third all-time in blocked shots and fourth in rebounds. Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. Like fellow Chicago Simeon alumni Derrick Rose of the Detroit Pistons, the undrafted Heat rookie Nunn continues to wear No. 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. 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. In the era prior to the three-point shot, the Falcons averaged 88 points per game. (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. Simeon High School . 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. but winning state championships is the ultimate goal of just about every high school boys' basketball team. In 2006 he was a member of the NBA Champion MiamiHeat. POINTS Hank Alvey, Glasford Illini Bluffs (6-9, Jr., F) 64 Kaden Augustine, Waterloo Gibault Catholic (6-1, Sr., G) 61 Thomas Hereau, Scales Mound (6-2, Jr., G) 57 Jordan Quinn, Tuscola (6-3, Jr., F) 50 Baylen Damhoff, Fulton (6-6, Jr., F) 50. Well I mean of course New York always says they are the mecca, but we feel like we are the mecca of basketball. Our seniors really stepped up and our juniors. He died Nov. 21, 1984, a day after he was shot near Simeon High School. Mar 9, 2023, 7:49am PDT. High school: CorlissCollege: ArkansasCareer highlights: 1993 NBAChampion, 1984 NBA All-Rookie team In three years at Arkansas, Walker averaged nearly 15 points per game beforethe New York Knicks made him the No. Brock played star high school ball at Simeon Career Academy of the Chicago Public League. Kerr was the firstcoach in the history of the Chicago Bulls (1966-67), and was a joy to listen toas a broadcaster for decades. Diminutive guard Gerry Smith was the leader. Unfortunately. (Ernie Cox Jr. / Chicago Tribune), Stunned friends and classmates break down upon viewing Ben Wilson's body at the wake held in Simeon High School's gymnasium on Nov. 23, 1984. The vigil was held at the Benjamin E. Mayo and Elmer L. Fowler Historic Gallery in Chicago. Hambric told the Tribune in February he didn't think Simeon was getting the attention it deserved.