In 2011, Keith Clinkscales founded Shadow League Digital, a multi-platform sports news organization that he leads as its CEO. Under the guidance of Keith Clinkscales, the media company has produced several notable projects, including the ESPN documentary BENJI: The Story of Ben Wilson.
The story of Ben Wilson, BENJI tells the story of a talented high school basketball player from Chicago who never played in college or the National Basketball Association (NBA) due to tragic circumstances. Playing for Neal F. Simeon Vocational High School, Wilson won the school its first ever city and state championships and, by his senior year, established himself as one of the nation’s top basketball prospects. Wilson was invited to the 1984 Athletes For Better Education basketball camp, the first Chicago player to receive such an invitation.
Early in Wilson’s senior year, however, he was shot twice during a chance encounter with a student from another high school. Wilson died the following day. Nick Anderson, Wilson’s teammate at Simeon, wore Wilson’s No. 25 jersey for the duration of his NBA career, as did Simeon alumnus and former Chicago Bulls point guard Derrick Rose during his time with the New York Knicks. Jabari Parker and Juwan Howard are among other NBA players who pay tribute to Wilson, whose death has come to represent the struggles many young players face before entering the league.
The story of Ben Wilson, BENJI tells the story of a talented high school basketball player from Chicago who never played in college or the National Basketball Association (NBA) due to tragic circumstances. Playing for Neal F. Simeon Vocational High School, Wilson won the school its first ever city and state championships and, by his senior year, established himself as one of the nation’s top basketball prospects. Wilson was invited to the 1984 Athletes For Better Education basketball camp, the first Chicago player to receive such an invitation.
Early in Wilson’s senior year, however, he was shot twice during a chance encounter with a student from another high school. Wilson died the following day. Nick Anderson, Wilson’s teammate at Simeon, wore Wilson’s No. 25 jersey for the duration of his NBA career, as did Simeon alumnus and former Chicago Bulls point guard Derrick Rose during his time with the New York Knicks. Jabari Parker and Juwan Howard are among other NBA players who pay tribute to Wilson, whose death has come to represent the struggles many young players face before entering the league.