Last night was the premiere of BENJI, the latest episode of the critically acclaimed ESPN documentary series 30 for 30. Directed by Chicago natives Coodie & Chike, the focus of this episode was the tragic death of Chicago high school basketball legend Ben Wilson, who was shot and killed in 1984.
Wilson was the number one high school player in the nation at Simeon High, where it became a tradition for the best basketball player to wear No. 25 in honor of Wilson.
His former high school teammate, Nick Anderson, honored him by wearing 25 throughout his NBA career.
Juwan Howard wore it at Michigan during his Fab Five days.
2011 NBA MVP Derrick Rose wore it at Simeon, where he continued Wilson’s legacy by winning two state championships.
The latest known player from Chicago to pay tribute to Wilson is Jabari Parker, who has ‘BENJI 25’ stitched on his sneakers since the number was retired in 2009.