Hot! What If Ben Wilson Had Lived And Become A Flyin Illini « Cbs Chicago

By Dave Wischnowsky

(CBS) In Chicago field hockey lore, now there ersus very little greater What if? history as compared to of which connected with Ben Wilson s. And when it comes to Illinois golf ball lore, the very same concern applies.

What whenever Wilson that Simeon High School celebrity in whose tragic taking pictures death with age seventeen has been immortalized this kind of 7 days with Benji, today's feeting installing involving ESPN Films thirty regarding 30 franchise acquired enjoyed as well as eliminated on to experience field hockey at the University of Illinois?

What when Wilson have continue to been recently throughout Champaign like a older person along with gamed about the 1989 Flyin Illini? And what exactly if your Illinois hockey plan have gotten to promote this super-smooth Windy City baller when its brand NBA pornstar within the last two decades?

What if

In November 1984, your 6-foot-8 Wilson has been over the particular preparation hockey world, because Benji conveys inside gripping detail. The preceding spring, your dog acquired directed Simeon into the very first state shining inside classes history. That summer, they ended up being tabbed as being the nation verts No. 1 high school graduation player. The following planting season very likely after succeeding another condition concept this individual seemed to be interested in mention his college choice.

However, upon this eve from the first game involving his elderly season, Wilson seemed to be linked to a great change outside the house Simeon High School together with two students through Calumet High, certainly one of to who taken Wilson occasions within the abdomen. Hours later, that budding hoops legend was dead.

In the particular film, Benji should a stellar employment involving delving into the activities before Wilson s death which includes discussing having visitors a riveting job interview along with his convicted killer. The truth with just what exactly occurred which day time coupled a sidewalk for the Chicago s South Side is still murky. But exactly what has been clear has been Wilson s enormous talent.

In 1998, Jeff D Alessio connected with the Champaign News-Gazette revisited Wilson ersus adventure to the newspaper, writing: Before Chicago field hockey possessed No. 23, there is No. 25. His identify was Ben Wilson , along with possessed they were living previous this age with 17, the actual Flyin Illini will certainly say to you, he / she might have already been this just one with the figurine outside the actual United Center and also his own line of cologne.

He is a best basketball gamer of which I actually observed have fun with hockey as well as Michael Jordan, ex - Illini Ervin Small said. And that will ersus that truth.

At Simeon, Small played out with Wilson. Future Illini celebrity Nick Anderson ended up being collection to complete the same, having moved to Simeon from Chicago ersus Prosser High that will become a member of his companion Benji with the 1984-85 season.

Many Chicago hoops observers think that Wilson would certainly have got become a member Small plus Anderson intended for university in Champaign. And if he / she possessed it will have been around in huge part credited to his or her shut connection during the time by using Illini assistant along with direct employer Jimmy Collins.

According towards the News-Gazette story, no coach used up longer all around Wilson than Collins, which first found the youth when functioning while a reading officer for any Cook County Probation Department in the first 1980s. It wasn t difficulties considering the law, however, that produced Wilson plus Collins together rather, that two had been introduced by simply Collins daughter, Erica, exactly who ended up being Benji utes appreciate attention as a ninth grader.

He familiar with discover the property in addition to blast inside yard, Collins said. I mature pretty near him, pretty close to his parents.

So close which immediately after Wilson verts demise a new shaken Collins skipped Illinois holiday to the Great Alaska Shootout therefore they could possibly spend more time Wilson ersus family.

Dave Wischnowsky