Family and friends of the late Tim Bankston gathered to mourn the loss of the Chicago basketball legend, found shot to death inside a home in the Auburn Gresham neighborhood.
Relatives believe the shooting likely occurred the night before Bankston's body was discovered, with his friend being the one to find him. Karolyn Wright, Bankston's sister, remembered him as "such a beautiful spirit." She described him as "a family man, more than just a basketball coach. More than just a basketball legend."
Outside the home where the discovery was made, family members, friends, and others gathered to honor Bankston's life and legacy. Timothy Bankston Jr., the victim's son, said, "My dad is apart of me. I have his name. I can carry his legacy." Bankston's brother, Charles Bankston, spoke about the loss, saying, "This hurts like everything I could never imagine in my life. I didn't cry like this when my mama had died. But, the love that I have for him, it will be everlasting."
Bankston was a South Side basketball standout who led Simeon High School to a state championship in 1984 during his senior year. This achievement came the same year his teammate, Ben Wilson, was shot and killed. Sean Wright, a former Simeon teammate, described what he said happened when the friend returned to the home. "His friend had been out and came back and found that the door of the house was open in the back," Wright said. "He seen my brother's feet and said he immediately bent down, shook him, to see if he was okay or what. He said he was cold."
The investigation into Bankston's death remains ongoing, with police having not announced any arrests in the case. It remains unclear how long Bankston's body was inside the home before it was discovered. The community is left to mourn the loss of a local basketball legend and the impact his legacy will have on the community.
The city's South Side has seen its fair share of violence, with many notable athletes being affected by it. The shooting of Ben Wilson in 1984, a year Bankston led his team to a state championship, serves as a reminder of the challenges the community faces. Bankston's death serves as a painful reminder of the ongoing issues in the community, and the need for change.
The investigation into Bankston's death continues, with police working to determine the circumstances surrounding his death. As the community comes together to mourn the loss of a local legend, it remains unclear what the future holds for those involved in the case.
Source: Yahoo Sports