But Thornridge was more than Buckner. . High school: Carver College: University of Texas at El Paso Career highlights: 5x NBA All-Star Hardaway was selected with the No. He led Tilden to the 1950 Chicago Pubic League championship, helped theFighting Illini advance to the Final Four in 1952, and, in his rookie season,won an NBA championship with the Syracuse Nationals in 1955. Wilson was listed in critical condition. 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. In the era prior to the three-point shot, the Falcons averaged 88 points per game. 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. Lincoln, Ill., native is fourth on the schools career scoring chart. Prospect: PG Ahamad Bynum. Curtis Glenn, oldest brother of Ben Wilson, cries while holding his granddaughters Bella Robinson, 8, left, and Chloe Robinson, 10, during a street sign dedication for Benji Wilson on Nov. 21, 2022, in Chicago. (Ovie Carter / Chicago Tribune), 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. He played nine NBA seasons and won a championship ring as a member ofthe 1992-93 Chicago Bulls. 1 prep prospect before his life was cut short. In 2004,he was named to the Illini All-Century Team. Thornridge's toughest opponents were south suburban rivals Bloom and Thornton and perennial Downstate power Peoria Manual.<\/p>\n
In a 33-0 season, Thornridge never allowed an opponent to come within 14 points. 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. Mr. Simeon married Helen and to this union was born daughter Sharon A. Simeon. 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. The LAClippers selected Hawkins sixth overall in the 1988 NBA Draft, but his rightswere immediately traded to the 76ers. 25 in Wilson's honor. "It was normal to me," Nunn said. Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Resources CPS Non-Discrimination Statement Simeon Career Academy Simeon Career Academy. PF 1119 PA 1294 STREAK 1L. 105-34 (L) Simeon @ Kenwood. 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. By Joe Henricksen May 12, 2022, 3:51pm PDT Pocket Flipboard Ben Wilson was the nation's top-rated prep basketball player when he was slain near Simeon High School. He came to Simeon without any organized basketball experience and left with the Illinois Mr. Basketball award. Win a second straight state title.". 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. Melvin was a sophomore teammate of Wilson's as he . 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. He won the 2005 NBAThree Point Shootout championship. He was a member of the 2009 and 2010NBA Champion Los Angeles Lakers. 11 overall pick by the Orlando Magic (the first pick in that franchise's history) in 1989. Had a long NBA career, playing in the Finals three times. Only four other teams came within 20 points. Green was credited with scoring the five millionth point in NBA history in1982. The previous spring, he had led Simeon to the first state championship in . Simeon won the IHSA Class AA state boys' basketball championships three times; 1983-84, 2005-06 (with Derrick Rose ), and 2006-07 (with Derrick Rose). It was really a tough group. In November 1984, the 6-foot-8 Wilson was on top of the prep basketball world, as "Benji" captures in gripping detail. 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. Lost to Manley and Russell Cross 77-70 in the Public League playoffs. Hisnumber was retired by Iowa State, where he is still the all-time leader inassists and steals. 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. We bring back a lot of people, we bring back a lot of guys, and that was the big thing. 13 overall selection in the1999 NBA Draft. 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. 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. And that team was the same way. 1 team in the nation. Ben Wilson of Simeon High School was considered the No. 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. which has No. Simeon coach Robert Smith, who led Derrick Rose and Jabari Parker to Illinois state titles, retiring after next season. Griffith scored a team-high 15 points for Simeon, which shot 40 percent (18-for-45) from the field and was outrebounded, 35-21. Simeon High School basketball player Ben Wilson on Nov. 13, 1984. 25, the number Ben Wilson wore while he played for the team. Point guard from Quincy, Ill., could score. The Illinis career scoring leader, who prepped at Chicago Simeon, stands third all-time in blocked shots and fourth in rebounds. 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. 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. Still, the grassroots of basketball come at the youth level, where it's the second-most popular sport in United States high schools. 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. He competed in the 2001 NBA Slam Dunk Contest. 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. 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. 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. 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. You know, I do not think anybody expected us to get where we got last season. It was Simeon's first loss to a Public League team in 69 games. Years later, he would say this was a better team than the 1984 state champs. (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. A lot of people underestimated us. He left Duke early and was the No. -The old Joliet Catholic High School . Diminutive guard Gerry Smith was the leader. Simeon High School Alumni, Class Reunions, Yearbooks, Wolverines Classmates, and more! In the 1970s, Illinois schools were restricted by travel limitations. 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. CPS Boys Basketball Championship Simeon 15, Kenwood 18 at the end of the 1st . 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). Athletic alums organizing others to support student-athletes within and beyond Simeon's walls. A four-year starter, Douglas helped the Illini reach four consecutive NCAA tournaments. He was considered among the best prep centers in thecountry, and opted to play at Wisconsin. The NBA has become a global game. 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. Sign up today to have alumni and campus news updates sent to your inbox via email once a month. Lynn's book, "Thornridge: The Perfect Season in Black and White," published by AuthorHouse, brings back memories for high school basketball fans throughout Illinois. Like fellow Chicago Simeon alumni Derrick Rose of the Detroit Pistons, the undrafted Heat rookie Nunn continues to wear No. Since retiring,he has served as the head coach of the Portland Trail Blazers and the 76ers. 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. During his playing career, Rivers was an All-Starin 1988 and finished in the top five in the league in assists twice. 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. Hewas a member of the 1983 NBA Champion Philadelphia 76ers. I play to win. 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. During Thanksgiving week in 1984, Simeon High School basketball star Ben Wilson was shot twice on his lunch hour after a chance encounter, in a slaying that shocked his family, his classmates and . In his firstyear with the Blue Demons, Richardson was named Conference USA Freshman of theYear and Player of the Year. Kendrick Nunn helped lead the Miami Heat to a 116-108 victory with 21 points. 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. 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. By submitting your email to receive this newsletter, you agree to our. For generations, the ball played in high school gyms around this city has been as good as anywhere in the country, producing an unmatched list of players that eventually matriculated to success in the NBA. 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. Win the regional. 3: Michael Ratliff. Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. 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. 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. ESPN's award-winning documentary series. Watch on ESPN+. He was named the APPlayer of the Year and won a bronze medal at the 1988 Summer Olympics. 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 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. It is the Falcons' unprecedented record of achievement that Simeon is chasing this season.<\/p>\n
Lynn's book, "Thornridge: The Perfect Season in Black and White," published by AuthorHouse, brings back memories for high school basketball fans throughout Illinois. ", 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. A brother of slain Simeon High basketball star Ben Wilson comforts his father, Ben Sr., at the 17-year-old boy's wake on Nov. 23, 1984. He is the only Chicago area athlete in history to be named Player of the Year in football and basketball. But not all high schools are created equal, and most of them are lucky to have a single player make it to the NBA. Will Simeon or any state champion ever measure up to Thornridge's gold-standard performance over Quincy (104-69) in the 1972 state final? 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. Vestavia Country Club Menu,
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