Remove advertising from a memorial by sponsoring it for just $5. Brandon Sherrod Wilson death - cause of death - Brandon Sherrod Wilson, the son of Ben Wilson, an American high school basketball star is dead. According to Mirror, Benjamin attacked his abusive father with a hammer to stop him from further abusing his mother. 1. [29] Brandon died after he swerved into a shoulder on the Northern State Parkway, and hit a pole and two trees.[30]. Continuing with this request will add an alert to the cemetery page and any new volunteers will have the opportunity to fulfill your request. Moore yelled up the street at Wilson to watch where he was going. Unfortunately, he also knows the Wilsons pain of losing a loved one. Chicago's violent crime rate was very high during this time as well, especially on the South Side. [12][20] He was buried at Oak Woods Cemetery. After Derrick Rose graduated from Simeon in 2007, the school stopped issuing the number and in 2009, it was finally retired in honor of both Rose and Wilson. The 1984-85 team, which would have seen Wilson team with future NBA star Nick Anderson (whom he convinced to transfer to Simeon), went 28-2 without their captain. Give a memorial tree. No animated GIFs, photos with additional graphics (borders, embellishments. Learn more about managing a memorial . Simeon retired Wilson's No. Weve updated the security on the site. This flower has been reported and will not be visible while under review. An argument ensued and Moore shot Wilson. Both Moore and Dixon were convicted on charges of murder and attempted armed robbery. Despite being underage at the time, the Cook County States Attorney's office elected to try both men as adults. They advanced to the state 2A quarterfinals before losing to Lanphier High School of Springfield. During that same summer of 1984, when he shot to the top of the prep hoops stratosphere, Ben Wilson had the opportunity to strut his stuff alongside two future NBA stars. Benji's rise to the top spot came after leading Simeon to the first Illinois state title in school history. After watching the documentary I am even more convinced of their innocence. He lost his own son, William IV, to gun violence in July 2017. Wilson persisted, though, and followed her as she began walking up the street outside Simeon. Ben Wilson's been gone from this earth for nearly 28 years now, but his legacy is far from forgotten. Mary Wilson had two sons from a previous marriage. Stay Connected Keep Me . The New York native, by way of Chicago, played for the Hawks in the early 2000s. He was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. I see him sometimes in my minds eye, playing in the NBA, which he could have done after only two years in college. On January 13, 2022, Brandon Sherrod . Hall had heard of Ben Wilson even before Brandon arrived but didn't discuss it much with his new player. As the school year started, Wilson was beginning to grow more and more frustrated by the situation and his interactions with Rush became significantly tense, to the point where they were having loud arguments in the school hallways between classes. He played basketball and became All-Long Island Basketball player his junior and senior year. From what . "He's athletic, quick and strong, so he's going to help you.". "I'm excited," he said about Saturday's game, "but more so just to represent New York and myself.". Brandon spent his early childhood in Chicago before moving to New York with his mother, Jetun, and his stepfather, Edward Rivers. [32] Following Nick Anderson's tribute to Wilson in wearing number 25 at Illinois, many others who graduated from Simeon and moved on to play for the Illini have carried on the tradition of wearing the jersey number 25. March 18 Basketball Player #2. Wilson did not fully understand why Rush had pushed him away and as time went on, it started to have an effect on him. He played one season for UMES. "Of course I'm proud," he said. Oops, some error occurred while uploading your photo(s). Or, as those close to him knew him, Benji. i dont buy billy moore's story, it was to perfect making him out to be the 'victim', the fact they cut school was armed with a gun and went to that school looking for a kid over 10 dollars tells me they were up to no good.i believe they decided to rob benji, him already being upset with his girlfriend he probably wasnt in his right mind frame and didnt think about this kid has a gun maybe he should back down. Once again, Rush was not interested. Facebook gives people the power. Oh hell no. #FallenHawk. Both men remain in jail to this day. My heart feels so heavy after watching that documentary. That passion produced a player Dildy insists was better in high school than current NBA stars Kevin Garnett and Kobe Bryant. Despite doctors repeatedly telling her they could save her son, Mary Wilson's professional experience as a nurse told her that even if they were able to repair the damage, Ben would likely be in a persistent vegetative state afterward due to the massive blood he had already lost. On November 21, 1984, Wilson died due to injuries he sustained in a shooting the day before.[2][3][4][5][6]. Thankyou for this link. I'm about to begin my journey in rewriting my life after all the trauma, pain, and loneliness. "Canary in the coal mine". A clip of Jeff Wilson giving the bullet found in Bens body to Moore as the two embraced, prompted the crowd to applaud. He played professionally with the Long Island Wizards. Upon examination it was discovered that Wilson's aorta was damaged by the second shot and there was no blood reaching his lower extremities. CHICAGO (WLS) -- The two brothers of slain Simeon High School. They just think any blacks hanging around are stealing and thieves. There is 1 volunteer for this cemetery. Failed to report flower. Sorry, I just think Omar Dixon and Billy Moore are not guilty! In these statements, Moore and Dixon said that the shooting was part of a robbery, where Dixon picked Wilson's pockets and once he was done, he ordered Moore to shoot Wilson twice. The documentary recalls the tragic story of Ben Wilson, the No. But Wilson said he agreed to meet with William Moore who was convicted in his brothers killing after his mother, Mary, asked the family to forgive him on her deathbed in 2000. That legacy persists into the present day, but the greatest of them all might've been the one about whom no NBA tome was or will ever be written. All photos uploaded successfully, click on the Done button to see the photos in the gallery. He used to joke about that and say basketball was his girlfriend.". [31] Former Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose, who graduated from Simeon in 2007, wore number 25, and the team won the state championship in 2006 and 2007. Previously sponsored memorials or famous memorials will not have this option. As Derrick Rose told KC Johnson of The Chicago Tribunein 2009: They tried to keep his spirit alive, not just in the program but throughout the whole school. By the time he was a senior, Wilson stood nearly 6'9", with the size to play in the front court and the ball-handling, shooting and passing abilities to dominate on the wing. You must log in or register to reply here. A lot is placed on their shoulders. The city's murder rate has declined overall since 1984, but has seen a 27 percent spike this year, per Jon Greenberg of ESPNChicago.com. He claimed his sentence was excessive, considering he had not been in trouble before, and that he should not have been tried as an adult; while the court of appeals found his sentence to be somewhat harsh, they upheld the decision as a matter of law. A system error has occurred. WHILE he was driving? . 171. - Does the Wilson family still have contact to Benji's son Brandon and Benji's girlfriend Jetun? Nonetheless, Brandon earned scholarship offers from a few small schools and wound up playing in the Wendy's All-Star Shootout at the DePaul Athletic Center in Chicago in 2002. Learn more about merges. LORD. Ive never seen anything like it, White said. Wilson began playing basketball at an early age, starting in elementary school. Associated With. I kind of understand your point of view a little bit after watching this concerning the guy that actually shot him. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register. Benji bumped into them by accident and attempted to excuse himself, but Dixon and Moore wouldn't allow him to pass to easily. Look at this praise dancing doggie. "I don't think a kid needs that pressure.". Brandon also coached with Empire Athletics and his Alma Mater LuHi with his friends. You are nearing the transfer limit for memorials managed by Find a Grave. To have the two families come together was amazing.. There is a problem with your email/password. Murder of Ben Wilson Ben Wilson, an American high school basketball star from Neal F. Simeon High School in Chicago, Illinois, USA, was shot in the neighborhood surrounding the school during its lunch hour on November 20, 1984. Another brother, Jeff Wilson, was also present at the event, which featured clips from an upcoming documentary that chronicles the mens road to forgiveness, Both Sides of the Gun: A Story of Reconciliation.. Moore's story sounds probable. According to Barry Temkin of The Chicago Tribune,Rivers first introduced Brandon to the game, though there was never any pressure to live up to Benji's legacy. This page was created in memory of Ben Wilson (3/18/1967 - 11/21/1984) whose life story. Dixon was given the lesser sentence because even though he was involved in the crime, Moore had been the one to fire the fatal shots.[21]. 3. Later that night, Chicago police arrested him there and shortly thereafter apprehended Omar Dixon. Please enter your email address and we will send you an email with a reset password code. Rush gave birth to the child, a boy named Brandon, over the summer. Wilson's family contended botched treatment at St. Bernard contributed to his death. In fact, per Jackson, Magic called Benji's house during the Illinois state championships in 1984 to wish him luck. "I don't think I've ever played against or seen a player who had the whole package of skills with his size," said Wheeling coach Lou Wool, who played for the Evanston team that lost to Simeon and Wilson 53-47 in the Class AA state championship game in 1984. Brandon Wilson, who was on death row for the 1998 ambush slaying of a 9-year-old boy in Oceanside, was found dead Thursday hanging in his cell at San Quentin State Prison, state corrections. More NBA Transactions . What the hell is going on in our community such that ten fck!ng dollars is the impetus for settling a beef ? I just caught the end of the documentary on ESPN and I'm literally in tears. About 8,000 people attended his wake Nov. 23 in Simeon's gym. There was an error deleting this problem. The hospital was not a trauma center. Billy Moore remained at Erica Murphy's home for most of the rest of the day. All photos appear on this tab and here you can update the sort order of photos on memorials you manage. Thanks for your help! "Brandon leaves to cherish his memory; parents, Jetun and Edward Rivers; two brothers, Jared and Jalen Rivers; one sister, Brelyn Rivers; grandparents, Vallie Rush (Chicago), and Rachel Rivers (Queens, NY). 25 Simeon uniform at Oak Woods Cemetery. Failed to delete memorial. Moore and Dixon fled the scene, with Moore seeking refuge at Murphy's home. An estimated 350 students from the citys public and Catholic schools attended the event. Pisces Named Ben #6. Ben left that playful side of his personality behind when it came to basketball. 2 Shares. View the profiles of people named Branden Wilson. [13][14] He would play basketball with R. Kelly[15] and Nick Anderson. The trial began in the fall of 1985. Jun 28, 2007 - Brandon Wilson went undrafted in the 2007 NBA Draft making him an Unrestricted FA. You may not upload any more photos to this memorial, This photo was not uploaded because this memorial already has 20 photos, This photo was not uploaded because you have already uploaded 5 photos to this memorial, This photo was not uploaded because this memorial already has 30 photos, This photo was not uploaded because you have already uploaded 15 photos to this memorial. [1] Wilson, a Neal F. Simeon Vocational High School basketball player, was regarded as the top high school player in the U.S. by scouts and coaches attending the 1984 Athletes For Better Education basketball camp. Why take that kid to a hospital where no doctors were available? Moore and Dixon's attorneys chose to present Wilson's celebrity as the primary reason for the charges against the two teenagers. It would become one of the darkest moments in the history of Chicago sports. It was through this that he discovered who he had shot. He was named to Newsday's All-Long Island second team and was invited to play for the New York team against a Chicago-area squad in Saturday's Wendy's game. Drag images here or select from your computer for Brandon Sherrod Wilson memorial. [31] He also wore number 25 with the New York Knicks, after being traded. Try again later. It's estimated that 8,000 people attended Benji's wake at the Simeon gym on November 23, three days after he was gunned down, and that around 10,000 showed up to his funeral on November 24 at Operation PUSH headquarters. I hate to say this, but I said it previously. So many problems, causes and affect for them. Benjamin Wilson Jr. (March 18, 1967 November 21, 1984) was an American high school basketball player from Chicago, Illinois. Brandon enters and graduated from the Long Island Police Academy following in his Pops footsteps to become a police officer. During his junior year, he and his girlfriend Jetun Rush conceived a child. Both young men signed confessions to that effect that were later recanted. Steele retired all six Padres batters he faced, then headed to the bullpen to throw 25 more pitches. Murphy went in alone, while Moore and Dixon chose to wait outside. Despite ample legal trouble, Sizemore had steady film and television credits. Anything can happen. Before his death and subsequent lawsuit by the Wilson family, gunshot victims were taken to the nearest hospital instead of the nearest trauma center hospital. They made it a point to protect Wilson from trouble as he got older; as he was entering high school, the nationwide crack epidemic was in full swing and some of the people closest to Wilson, including his older brother Curtis, became addicted. Ben Wilson, who died in 1984 in Chicago, was once rated among the best high school basketball players in the country and recruited by the University of Illinois weeks before his death. Are you sure that you want to remove this flower? Moore served 19 years and 9 months in prison before his release in 2004. Benji meant so much to us, and his story really scared me, knowing it happened to a great player. That doesn't make sense to me. That is probably why she did not want to comment on the documentary. When Mama Wilson said I forgive you, that started everything. I'm glad they changed that sh!t. Just kidding. I believe Moore's statements to be more credible in the documentary when he said Ben said F*** you, I am not saying excuse me to you, who the f*** are you? Brandon, at 6-2, is a "tweener," with not quite the height to play forward in a high-level NCAA Division I program and not quite the perimeter skills to play guard there. This memorial has been copied to your clipboard. But now he's a hardened criminal probably because of the time he spent in jail for a crime he didn't commit. 25 jersey for the New York squad to honor the father he never knew. She settled in New York, where she married Edward Rivers. Jetun lied. A Chicago tragedy. 5. There was a problem getting your location. Later on, however, Jabari Parker suggested that Wilson's name and number be stitched into the sneakers the players were issued. ", "Ben Wilson's killer: 'I don't consider myself a criminal' ", "Basketball Star's Slaying Described By Girlfriend", "PRO BASKETBALL; A Dead Friend, a Living Memory", "Teen who killed Ben Wilson gets 40 years in prison", "Ben Wilson's Family Sues Hospital, Medics", "Suit Settled In Death Of Basketball Star", Chicago Tribune An Unknown Legacy April 12, 2002, Bleacher Report 8 Things To Know Before You Watch ESPN'S Documentary "Benji", "Men's Basketball - University of Maryland Eastern Shore Hawks", "Legacy is Challenge for Wilson | Newsday", "Port Washington police officer killed in Northern State crash", "Brandon Wilson Car Accident: Former ESHawks Hoops player, Brandon Wilson killed in deadly car accident", "Port Washington Policeman Dies in Northern State Parkway Crash", "With an assist from Parker, 'Benji' debuts", "Ben Wilson's death resonates 25 years later", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ben_Wilson_(basketball)&oldid=1136752735, 20th-century African-American sportspeople, Short description is different from Wikidata, All Wikipedia articles written in American English, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 31 January 2023, at 23:31. Flowers added to the memorial appear on the bottom of the memorial or here on the Flowers tab. He said that Wilson "dared" him to shoot once he pulled the .22 out and that he felt Wilson was just "punking" him by taunting him. "He's not your stereotypical shooting guard, but he'll get you some rebounds, defend and rough it up inside," Long Island Lutheran coach Ronn Hall said. But she began to push away from him, and he became confused. Wilson died from injuries sustained in the shooting the following morning. Im white!. This year, however, the Wendy's All-Star Shootout is selling the past as well as the future, at least to fans on the gray side of 30. If somebody had just robbed or took money from Moore's cousin then in the same day they are going to rob somebody else. Brandon wore the No. He started at St. Dorothy School and transferred to Ruggles Elementary School, graduating in 1981. State Attorneys Kenneth Malatesta and Arthur Hill presided over the prosecution and presented the police's theory, which was in the confessions that were recanted. Sadly Brandon, former college player turned Port Washington police officer was killed in a single car crash January 13th. In 2020, Two Sides of the Gun: A Story of Reconciliation was screened in Chicago during NBA All-Star Weekend festivities. Benjamin Wilson Jr. (March 18, 1967 - November 21, 1984) was an American high school basketball player from Chicago, Illinois. it was a very touching docu. Brandon earned a scholarship to University of Maryland Easter Shore. He said the lack of serious high-level interest has not been too disappointing. cemeteries found within miles of your location will be saved to your photo volunteer list. Wilson's recruiting attention has come mainly from lower Division I programs such as Hartford and Maryland-Eastern Shore, whom he said have offered him scholarships. Police presented both suspects with a case theory that after Moore's conflict with Wilson, Dixon tried to pick Wilson's pockets, and then urged Moore to shoot Wilson. Malatesta, in response to these charges, chose instead to focus on the actions that led to Wilson's death. He has been working on it for 13 years now. He is walking his girl to a bus stop. Include gps location with grave photos where possible. Your account has been locked for 30 minutes due to too many failed sign in attempts. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate, or jump to a slide with the slide dots. As Paul Wilkerson, a native Chicagoan who played with Wilson during his youth, told Scoop Jackson of Wilson's decision to attend the prestigious basketball powerhouse: I dont know why BJ decided to go to Simeon; I didnt think hed get any run here. I dont want anyone to have this type of bitterness.. The defense attorneys for both boys denied the charges vehemently. After word reached Simeon of the shooting, all of the members of the basketball team were called out of their classes and brought into the teachers' lounge where they were kept for the rest of that day. Save to an Ancestry Tree, a virtual cemetery, your clipboard for pasting or Print. Moore called to Wilson to watch where he was going, and Wilson responded by turning around and heading back toward Moore. Legendary names like Isiah Thomas, Cazzie Russell, Mark Aguirre, Maurice Cheeks, Terry Cummings and Hersey Hawkins patrolled the hardwood and concrete courts of the Windy City once upon a time. Benjamin Wilson has been sentenced to six years of jail for an act that he considers self defense. Brandon was a graduated of Long Island Lutheran High School. Ben Wilson father's name is Benjamin Wilson Sr and mother Mary Wilson. Brandon Wilson (c. born in 1978) is incarcerated on Death Row at San Quentin State Prison for the murder of 9-year-old Matthew Cecchi in Oceanside, California on November 14, 1998. Year should not be greater than current year. Becoming a Find a Grave member is fast, easy and FREE. You are only allowed to leave one flower per day for any given memorial. Please try again later. The importance of the book and the events that precipitated it has not been lost on Simeon's most celebrated pupils. The "Fab Five" later paid homage to Benji when Juwan Howard sported the No. Wilson, a Neal F. Simeon Vocational High School basketball player was regarded as the top high school player in the U.S. by scouts and coaches attending the 1984 Athletes For Better Education basketball camp. Sisters Jacora and Jasmine Morris jump into icy pond to save 2 kids. Before leaving to join Team Israel, Cubs prospect Matt Mervis shared why this WBC means so much to him. . based on information from your browser. Join Facebook to connect with Branden Wilson and others you may know. But all the accolades and sales pitches became meaningless babble shortly after noon Nov. 20 as Wilson walked past a convenience store about a block from Simeon. Join Facebook to connect with Brandon Wilson and others you may know. ", Maybe not, but it is clear Ben Wilson does play a role in his son's basketball career. Once they were informed that Wilson had died, his teammates were asked whether or not they wanted to go forward with their season opener, which was scheduled for later on against the team they defeated to win the state championship in 1984, Evanston Township; they won the game. Moore remained there until the police began pounding on Murphy's door looking for him later that evening. At Simeon, the basketball team remained sequestered in the teachers' lounge for the rest of the day. That sh!t was tragic. Ald. He served in the Port Washington Police Department for 5 years. cemeteries found within kilometers of your location will be saved to your photo volunteer list. [19], Billy Moore and Omar Dixon arrive at Simeon, Learn how and when to remove this template message, Chicken Soup for the Soul: Inside Basketball: 101 Great Hoop Stories from , By Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen, Pat Williams, The Great Book of Chicago Sports Lists, By Dan McNeil, Ed Sherman, "Ben Wilson's killer: 'I don't consider myself a criminal' ", "Basketball Star's Slaying Described By Girlfriend", "Ben Wilson: A Life Cut Short but the Memories Remain", "PRO BASKETBALL; A Dead Friend, a Living Memory", "2 Teens Convicted in Murder of Ben Wilson", "Legacy is Challenge for Wilson | Newsday", "Port Washington police officer killed in Northern State crash", "Brandon Wilson Car Accident: Former ESHawks Hoops player, Brandon Wilson killed in deadly car accident", "Port Washington Policeman Dies in Northern State Parkway Crash", "New Details Emerge Surrounding Ben Wilson Death as Family Forgives Killer", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Murder_of_Ben_Wilson&oldid=1136751993, This page was last edited on 31 January 2023, at 23:27. [16] Wilson was described as "Magic Johnson with a jump shot" by his Simeon coach, Bob Hambric. The world's population was 3,479,053,821 and there were an estimated year babies born throughout the world in 1967, Lyndon B. Johnson (Democratic) was the US President, and the . Rest in Peace Ben Wilson March 18, 1967-November 21, 1984 tragically gunned down after receiving a basketball scholarship to the University of Illinois. Wilson died on the same day that Simeon was to open its season. During the argument, Moore drew the pistol he had been carrying. This account already exists, but the email address still needs to be confirmed. Dixon later began an unrelated sentence for armed robbery, although Moore, interviewed in the 2012 documentary Benji, claims that his own confession was coerced, and that Dixon was not involved in Wilson's shooting. On Sunday, 11. Please ensure you have given Find a Grave permission to access your location in your browser settings. His father was Ben Wilson, who in just 17 years managed to become a basketball legend. If not for the tragedy that later befell him, Benji may well have enjoyed the best basketball career of the three. Why do people post controversial opinions online but are surprised when they get dragged? Join the Lipstick Alley 2023 NCAA Tournament Challenge. They were at Simeon school because somebody stole or took $10 from Moore's cousin, but the money issue got resolved. The team decided to play in his honor the next day, beating Evanston, whom they had defeated in the state championship game the year prior, by a decisive 71-50 margin. But it seems like so many variables were involved. Basketball Player Born in Illinois #23. Wilson's teammate Teri Sampson recalls that throughout the night, the reports progressively worsened, going from Wilson possibly recovering in time for the state playoffs, to perhaps missing a year of play, to possibly never playing again, to fighting for his life. [16] [17] [18]. [18] He and Omar Dixon were outside the luncheonette when Wilson and Rush came up the street behind them. That boy could be alive today if not for that. The words "Best in the Nation" marked his gravesite. anyone ever TAKE DOWN these MICRO-LOCS? They always said he bumped into Moore. Wilson's performance during his junior year and the summer thereafter left him to choose between scholarship offers from Illinois, DePaul and Indiana once the basketball world discovered just how prodigious his talents truly were. From left, former U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, Rapper Common, William Moore, and Anthony and Jeffrey Wilson, speak at Malcolm X College, during a conversation and private screening of Both Sides of the Gun, Thursday, Feb. 13, 2020, in Chicago. ", Thank you for fulfilling this photo request. Shortly after Murphy entered the luncheonette, Wilson inadvertently bumped into Moore since he had not been paying attention to where he was going, instead trying to talk to his estranged girlfriend. Wilson, though, said he has never felt pressure being his father's son. Omar Dixon, 15, tried to rob Wilson, who resisted. "His serious side was out there on that court," said Dildy, whose King team lost to Simeon in the 1984 Public League semifinals. Four Months Since the U.S. Embassy Warned Black Americans to Caution Travel to Dominican Republic.