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Chicago Bulls: Stadium debuts ‘Pooh: The Derrick Rose Story’

By Justin Dukes

CHICAGO, IL - MARCH 25: Derrick Rose #1 of the Chicago Bulls walks to the bench during a game against the Memphis Grizzlies at the United Center on March 25, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bulls defeated the Grizzlies 99-96. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - MARCH 25: Derrick Rose #1 of the Chicago Bulls walks to the bench during a game against the Memphis Grizzlies at the United Center on March 25, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bulls defeated the Grizzlies 99-96. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /
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Chicago Bulls, Derrick Rose
Chicago Bulls (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images) /

Ben Wilson

Benjamin Wilson Jr., also known as “Benji” was a member of the Simeon Wolverines High School basketball team in Chicago, Illinois who was regarded as the number one prospect in the country in 1984 who tragically lost his life that coming November after being shot twice by another student.

Wilson was responsible for leading the Wolverines to their first state title and was survived by his 10-week old son at the time Brandon Wilson.  While not directly mentioned in “Pooh”, he serves as the spirit and precursor to the film.

For years the best player from the Simeon Wolverines would wear 25 in tribute to Wilson until the jersey was eventually retired. The number 25 Rose is seen wearing during the film while at Simeon fell in line with this tribute and continued when he would don the number again with the Knicks. Other big names from Chicago like Juwan Howard and Nick Anderson would also continue paying homage to Wilson wearing 25 beyond the high school ranks.

Next. Bulls looking ahead to the Draft. dark

In the post-film wrapup, Rose’s former high school teammate Tim Flowers accounted how every player coming into Simeone would receive a book providing an account on the life of Wilson to set a standard of excellence as well as a cautionary tale of the dangers existing on the streets of Chicago.

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