Ben Wilson (basketball) facts for kids
Wilson in 1984
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| No. 25 | |
|---|---|
| Guard / Forward | |
| Personal information | |
| Born | March 18, 1967 Chicago, Illinois |
| Nationality | American |
| Died | November 21, 1984 (aged 17) Chicago, Illinois |
| High school | Simeon (Chicago, Illinois) |
| Listed height | 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) |
| Listed weight | 190 lb (86 kg) |
Benjamin "Benji" Wilson Jr. (born March 18, 1967 – died November 21, 1984) was a talented American high school basketball player from Chicago, Illinois. Many people thought Ben was the best high school player in the entire U.S. in 1984. This was a huge honor, and he was the first Chicago athlete to get it. Sadly, Ben Wilson passed away on November 21, 1984, because of injuries from a shooting the day before.
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Ben Wilson's Early Life
Ben Wilson was born in 1967 to Ben Wilson Sr. and Mary Wilson. He grew up in the Chatham area on Chicago's South Side. Ben started playing basketball when he was in elementary school. He practiced a lot at Cole Park and played in summer games. Everyone around him could see that he had amazing talent. They believed he could become one of the best basketball players ever.
High School Basketball Star
In 1981, Ben started high school at Simeon Career Academy. By his sophomore year (1982–83), he was the only tenth-grader on the main basketball team. In the 1983–84 season, Ben led Simeon to the Illinois AA State Championship. They won their first-ever state title! Many experts thought Ben was the best junior player in the country that year. His coach even said he was like "Magic Johnson with a jump shot." Ben also played basketball with future stars like R. Kelly and Nick Anderson.
Becoming Number One
In July 1984, Ben was invited to a special basketball camp in Princeton, New Jersey. This camp was for the best high school players. Scouts and coaches came to watch them play. After the camp, Ben Wilson was ranked the number-one high school player in America. As his final year of high school approached, many top colleges wanted him to play for them. These included the University of Illinois, DePaul University, and Indiana University.
A Tragic Day
On November 20, 1984, Ben Wilson decided not to eat lunch with his teammates. He wanted to talk to his girlfriend, Jetun Rush. They had a baby son named Brandon, born in September 1984.
The Shooting Incident
That day, Ben accidentally bumped into another student, Billy Moore, outside a luncheonette. They exchanged some angry words. Moore then showed a small pistol. Ben dared him to shoot. Moore fired two shots. One shot hit Ben in his stomach area, causing serious internal bleeding. Moore and his friend ran away.
News of the shooting quickly reached Simeon High School. A crowd gathered near Ben. Paramedics were called, but they took a while to arrive. Ben's coach, Bob Hambric, decided to drive Ben to the hospital himself. Just then, an ambulance arrived. Ben was taken to St. Bernard Hospital, which was the closest one. However, it was a small hospital not fully ready for serious emergencies like gunshot wounds.
Aftermath and Passing
At the hospital, Ben's condition became worse. His family learned that a main blood vessel was badly damaged. Ben's mother, a nurse, knew that even if doctors could fix the damage, Ben might not recover fully. Early the next morning, Mary Wilson made the difficult decision to take her son off life support. Ben Wilson passed away shortly after. He was buried at Oak Woods Cemetery.
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The people responsible for the shooting were caught by the police. They were later found guilty and received prison sentences. Ben Wilson died on the same day his team was supposed to start their basketball season. The team chose to play the game, and they won.
Ben Wilson's Family
Ben Wilson had one son, Brandon Wilson, with his high school girlfriend Jetun Rush. Brandon was only 10 weeks old when his father died. Brandon grew up and also played basketball. He played for the University of Maryland-Eastern Shore, wearing his father's number 25 jersey. Brandon later became a basketball coach and served in the police department. Sadly, Brandon Sherrod Wilson died in a car accident on January 13, 2022.
Ben Wilson's Lasting Legacy
Ben Wilson's memory lives on in the basketball world. His friend and Simeon teammate, Nick Anderson, wore jersey number 25 in the NBA to honor Ben. Juwan Howard also wore number 25 in college as a tribute.
Later, Chicago Bulls star Derrick Rose, who also went to Simeon, wore number 25. His team won state championships in 2006 and 2007. Other Simeon players who went on to play for the University of Illinois, like Deon Thomas, Bryant Notree, Calvin Brock, and Kendrick Nunn, have also worn number 25 to honor Ben.
In 2012, ESPN released a documentary film about Ben Wilson called Benji. This film helped tell his story to many more people. Ben Wilson is remembered as a basketball legend whose life was cut short too soon.
