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. All media members covering high school basketball in the state were eligible to nominate and vote for players. Lynn is a colon cancer survivor who underwent life-saving emergency surgery in 2008. And business was good," said former Chicago Bulls announcer Jim Durham. Thornridge's toughest opponents were south suburban rivals Bloom and Thornton and perennial Downstate power Peoria Manual. 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. Stands third on Illini career scoring list. With Anderson ineligible until the second semester, David Knight emerged as the leader. He was a member of the 2009 and 2010NBA Champion Los Angeles Lakers. But Thornridge was more than Buckner. High school: Hirsch Metro College: University of Michigan Career highlights: NCAA All-American, NBA All-StarGreen was named a first-team All-American at Michigan in 1977, and was selectedin the first round of the NBA Draft by the Golden State Warriors that summer. (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. 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. Adam Duvall is a . The 1975-76 Hoosier squad remains the last team to complete an undefeatedseason with a championship. High school: Thornridge College: Indiana University Career highlights: NCAA and NBA champion, Olympic gold medalBuckner led Thornridge to back-to-back state championships before matriculatingto Indiana, where he was a central figure on arguably the finest class ofplayers in IU history. No. 1 player in the country and convinced Nick Anderson and Deon Butler to transfer to Simeon in the offseason. The culture is just what it is, its just a winning culture. (Michael Blackshire / Chicago Tribune), Nazareth Glenn attends the honorary street sign dedication for Ben Wilson on Nov. 21, 2022, in Chicago. Their business was winning. 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. HONORABLE MENTION (23 TOTAL; IN ORDER OF POINTS) Ross Robertson, South Beloit (6-8, Soph., C) 48; Wyatt Thompson, Dwight (6-7, Sr., F/C) 40; Logan Fleener, Louisville North Clay (6-2, Sr., G) 36; Aidan Dodson, Farina South Central (5-10, Sr., SG) 33; Justin Durham, Wayne City (6-6, Sr., C) 33; Sebastian Hill, Decatur Lutheran (LSA) (6-3, Jr., G) 32; JuJuan Cozark, Chicago Marshall (6-5, Sr., F) 27; Parker Boehne, Centralia Christ Our Rock Lutheran (6-0, Jr., G) 19; QiAndre Washington, Chicago Manley (6-0, Sr., G) 18; Mason Robinson, Altamont (6-3, Sr., G/F) 17; Korbin Gann, Pecatonica (6-5, Sr., G/F) 16; Ben Lothery, Elgin Harvest Christian (6-1, Sr., G) 12; Camden Figgins, Serena (5-11, Sr., PG) 11; Martin Ledbetter, Hinckley Big-Rock (6-5, Soph., F) 11; Alec Thomas, Lexington (6-2, Sr., F) 9; Zack Evans, Winchester West Central (6-1, Jr., G) 8; Avery Jahraus, Altamont (6-2, Sr., G) 8; Austin Wittenberg, Windsor/Stewardson-Strasburg (6-3, Sr., G) 8; Elijah Aumann, Nokomis (6-2, Sr., G) 6; John Kveck, Grant Park (6-6, Sr., C) 6; Nick Moore, Camp Point Central (6-1, Jr., G) 6; Lucas Simpson, Sterling Newman Central Catholic (6-2, Jr., F) 6; Michael Wilson, Jacksonville Routt (6-5, Sr., F) 6. He then signed a three-year, $3.1 million deal with the Heat this past April. Like fellow Chicago Simeon alumni Derrick Rose of the Detroit Pistons, the undrafted Heat rookie Nunn continues to wear No. In 1996, Walker led UK to the NCAAChampionship before turning pro. I dont know. 6 Simeon (Chicago) and No . He was the leader of Detroits back-to-back NBA championship teams in 1989 and 1990 and was named the FinalsMVP in 1990. Murder of Ben Wilson - Wikipedia He died the next day. 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 represented Philadelphia in the 1991All-Star Game. The Canton, Ohio, native had two of the highest-scoring seasons in program history, averaging better than 20 twice. Get Directions. Simeon was born in Chicago, Illinois on May 30, 1916 and was of Creole descent. Status: SI All-American Candidate. Lincoln, Ill., native is fourth on the schools career scoring chart. 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 New OrleansHornets made him the number one overall pick in the 2012 NBA Draft. When theChicago Bulls won the 2008 NBA Draft Lottery, there was no question who wouldbe the top overall pick. In November 1984, the 6-foot-8 Wilson was on top of the prep basketball world, as "Benji" captures in gripping detail. Watch on ESPN+. He captained Indiana's unbeaten 1976 NCAA championship team, the 1976 U.S. Olympic team and one of the Boston Celtics' NBA championship teams. For the last 22 years, he has served as sports director of KEX Radio in Portland, Oregon. Fought back from deficits of 29-12 and 53-43 and had chance to tie at buzzer in their 59-57 loss to King and Liberty in the city semifinals. 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. 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. On April15, 2010, Wardle was named the head mens basketball coach at the University ofWisconsin-Green Bay. With that out of the way, we proudly present Chicagos all-time greatest basketball players. Rose won the 2009 NBA Rookie of the year and hasplayed in three All-Star Games. We bring back the Rubin twins, who have both committed to Loyola-Chicago, and then we have two guys who transferred in. A teacher consoles Simeon High School students as they grieve for their schoolmate Ben Wilson on Nov. 21, 1984. Hambric's first full season ended with a 59-58 loss to Westinghouse in the Public League semifinals. Former NBA player and fellow Chicago native Will Bynum was also in attendance for Friday's game, as well as hundreds of others in support. CLASS 2A FIRST TEAM NAME, SCHOOL (HT., YR., POS.) He wrote his book on Thornridge while undergoing chemotherapy during the summer of 2009. Sitting courtside in a No. In the 1970s, Illinois schools were restricted by travel limitations. gym. 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. He played one season at Oakland university before signing with the Golden State Warriors in July 2018. ", Kendrick Nunn continues legacy of Ben Wilson in Chicago homecoming, 'This is probably his best shot': Why the time is now for Harden and the 76ers, Celtics-76ers first look: What could decide the battle of East heavyweights, Butler getting treatment on ankle; still iffy for G2, Curry sets G7 record with 50 as Dubs move on, Grizz's Brooks doesn't regret verbal jab at LeBron, 'This one's on me': Brunson self-critical after loss, Jokic on Murray's playoffs: 'We are following him', Rivers: Embiid likely doubtful for G1 vs. Celtics, 'It's going to be epic': Stephen Curry and LeBron James face off -- again, Tigers coach fumes at Zaire v Dwyane comparisons after loss, Pregame chats, language arts and 'a lot of fines': Inside NBA player-ref dynamics, Nunn 3rd in points to start career in past 25 years. -- NOTE: Also receiving a single vote (thus not receiving honorable mention): Gannon Dodd, New Berlin; Brock Fearday, Effingham St. Anthony; Malachi Persinger, Peoria Christian; Myles Pryor, Centralia Christ Our Rock Lutheran. 25, the number Ben Wilson wore while he played for the team. 8147 South Vincennes Avenue Chicago, IL 60620 . Home - Neal F. Simeon Bio. - Simeon Career Academy Get back to state. A daily sports newsletter delivered to your inbox for your morning commute. "Whether he has 30 points or zero points, his facial expression and body language would look the same.". The Red Line Project The NBA has become a global game. 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. 10. 13 overall selection in the1999 NBA Draft. So for my son to come back to Chitown, him and [Atlanta Hawks forward] Jabari Parker, they're just keeping that Simeon tradition alive.". Other Links > Basketball > Top Ranked Basketball Players by High School . I asked Robert Smith to just talk about Chicago basketball as a whole. Gates Gym (Winnetka) (1928-2021) Eveland Gym, Paris Park District - Former Paris H.S. He entered the draft early and was No. "The situations that played out, these were things that we talked about specifically," said Bynum, who trained with Nunn in Los Angeles this summer. Our younger guys, Rashad Mckinnie is going to be a prospect people need to watch out for over the next couple of years. 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. 11y . Just the rich tradition of Simeon basketball. 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. 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 (Ed Wagner, Jr., Chicago Tribune) Biddy Ball started it all. Now Chicago basketball, for those who do not know, has been known for decades when it comes to basketball. 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. Those guys have been on varsity for years now. Wilson died after being shot near the school. -The old Joliet Catholic High School . POINTS Ty Pence, St. Joseph-Ogden (6-6, Sr., G/F) 120 Cole Certa, Bloomington Central Catholic (6-4, Jr., G) 116 Gianni Cobb, Chicago Perspectives-Leadership (6-0, Jr., PG) 59 Dylan Bazzell, Fairbury Prairie Central (6-4, Sr., G/F) 58 Grady Thompson, Princeton (6-4, Sr., G) 58, SECOND TEAM NAME, SCHOOL (HT., YR., POS.) I'm still carrying the legacy myself so that's huge for me," Kendrick Nunn said of Wilson. PF 1119 PA 1294 STREAK 1L. He left Wisconsin after two years andenjoyed a successful career in Europe. S 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. On October 23, ESPN continued its series of documentaries, the critically acclaimed "30 For 30" series, with a story named "Benji" that broke a broken city's heart. Still, the grassroots of basketball come at the youth level, where it's the second-most popular sport in United States high schools. Simeon (Chicago) 297: 24: Jeff Hornacek: SG: 1987: Lyons Township (LaGrange) 329: 25: Mickey Johnson: PF: 1975: Lindblom (Chicago) 341: 26: Bucky Bockhorn: SG: 1959: Trico Consolidated (Campbell Hill) 382: 27: 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. Print. In one national poll of the top 25 high school teams of all time, Thornridge 1972 was rated 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. 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 . 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. His 1,690career points still ranks No. Legenday King coach Sonny Cox asked rhetorically how "that dude can block shots like that and not get fouls called" after Thomas had 20 points and five blocks in the 66-59 win. Latest Updates. High school: CarverCollege: University of MichiganCareer highlights: 1970 NBA Champion,1972 NBA All-Star, U. of Michigan Athletic Hall of Fame Russell was a two-time NCAA All-American at the University of Michigan and wasnamed the Player of the Year in 1966 before the New York Knicks made him thefirst overall pick in that summers NBA Draft. Anderson lived up to the hype by becoming the first of Simeon's four Mr. Basketball winners, but the city championship streak ended at two with a 49-46 loss to King and Anderson's future Illinois teammate Marcus Liberty in the final. Simeon High School students Jamari Williams, Kentrell McNeal killed in It was Simeon's first loss to a Public League team in 69 games. Submit a Class Note, suggest story ideas, update your mailing address or write a letter to the editor of Illinois Alumni magazine. Against the Bulls on Friday, Nunn recorded his seventh 20-point game this season, which is tied with Memphis Grizzlies point guard Ja Morant for most among rookies and the most by a Heat rookie since Michael Beasley in 2008-09, according to ESPN Stats & Information research. Simeon Career Academy, Chicago (IL) Basketball Players - RealGM 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. 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). ESPN's award-winning documentary series. . He holds 26th spot on Illini points list. All media members covering high school basketball in the state were eligible to nominate and vote for players. Phone: (773) 535-3200 Fax: (773) 535-3465. The Bob Hambric era begins in 1980 with the mid-season firing of Lamont Bryant. 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. In 2011, he won the NBAs Most Valuable Player Award. Simeon High School (Chicago, IL) Girls Varsity Basketball - MaxPreps.com Brock played star high school ball at Simeon Career Academy of the Chicago Public League. SI All-American Candidate Ahamad Bynum Highlights and Evaluation He played nine NBA seasons and won a championship ring as a member ofthe 1992-93 Chicago Bulls. Wilson was listed in critical condition. He was the No. High school basketball: Simeon basketball coach Robert Smith will 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. Buckner stood up and said to his coach and the other players: "If we win all of our games, we will accomplish all of our goals." Dunbar boasted three NBA first-round picks in the 1987 draft--Reggie Williams, Muggsy Bogues and Reggie Lewis. HOME 3-7 AWAY 3-5 NEUTRAL 5-5. 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. The 53-year-old says he knew Wilson and Melvin Nunn in high school but was even more proud to see Kendrick Nunn succeed. Simeon High School . High school: Carver College: University of Texas at El Paso Career highlights: 5x NBA All-Star Hardaway was selected with the No. 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. Again, wed like to claim him, but cannot. Bynum has served as a mentor for Nunn in trying to keep him on the right track. 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. Their business was winning. Illinois AP names All-State boys' basketball teams | AP News pic.twitter.com/mB3fP6rCBy. Compiled by Quad Cities media veteran Steve Tappa (currently of MC22-TV and QCSportsNet; formerly of the Moline Dispatch/Rock Island Argus). 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. After his sophomore year, Richardson was the No. 25 in Wilson's honor. 1 prep prospect before his life was cut short. And it features 6-8 junior Jabari Parker, whose youthful celebrity is comparable to LeBron James and Derrick Rose.<\/p>\n

So author Scott Lynn thinks it is time to remind today's hip-hoppers and slam-jammers and crossover dribblers that, 40 years ago, Thornridge's 1971-72 team created every bit as much hoopla as Simeon. After playing basketball and graduating from Southern Illinois in 1976, he set out on a career in radioTV broadcasting. Simeon in the '80s | The all-decade team - Chicago Tribune Lynn's book, "Thornridge: The Perfect Season in Black and White," published by AuthorHouse, brings back memories for high school basketball fans throughout Illinois. 12 overall pick in the 1983 NBADraft. In a few cases, records found in Tribune archives varied slightly. 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. Simeon's 2011-12 basketball team has stirred up considerable excitement. Simeon supporters argue, justifiably, that Thornridge didn't play the challenging national schedule that awaits the Wolverines. A player must have been named on two ballots to receive honorable mention. So author Scott Lynn thinks it is time to remind today's hip-hoppers and slam-jammers and crossover dribblers that, 40 years ago, Thornridge's 1971-72 team created every bit as much hoopla as Simeon.

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