Ben Wilson

Any basketball fan from Chicago knows the story of Ben Wilson. In 1984, the 17-year-old superstar was a symbol of everything promising about the Windy City: a sweet-natured youngster from the South Side, and America’s top high school basketball prospect. His senseless murder on the day before his senior season not only devastated the city, but sent ripples of anguish throughout the country as well.

This April, the sixth annual Tribeca/ESPN Sports Film Festival will open with the world premiere of Benji, the story of a legend who might’ve been. Directed by Coodie Simmons and Chike Ozah (a.k.a. Coodie & Chike), the documentary looks at the different paths that converged the day of his murder, as well as the culture and climate in Chicago at the time.

Wilson led Chicago prep power Simeon to the state championship in 1984 alongside Nick Anderson. After his death, Anderson wore No. 25 in his honor at the University of Illinois and throughout his 13-year NBA career. Derrick Rose, who graduated from Simeon in 2007, also wore No. 25 to pay homage to Benji.

Another interesting parallel with the documentary is Simeon forward Jabari Parker, who’s currently rated the No. 1 high school junior in the country – a status Wilson held back in 1984.

Stay tuned for more info on Benji, as the screening schedule for this year’s festival will be announced on Monday, March 19.