Former South Side basketball star and current beloved high school coach Tim Bankston was found shot dead in an Auburn Gresham home on Wednesday morning. Bankston’s community impact spanned decades, first making waves as the Simeon Academy point guard who led the high school to a 1984 state championship. Bankston began coaching at Thornton Fractional North High School in 2002 and was inducted into the Illinois Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame just two short years later. On Wednesday, his influence was on full display as former teammates, players, family and friends poured into the street to mourn.
How did you get this photo?
I arrived to the scene later than my reporting colleague, Mike O’Brien, as I was coming from another assignment in Lansing, where a tornado devastated residents earlier this week. By the time I made it to Auburn Gresham, he had already conducted two interviews and walked away to write a quick brief to break the story. So I came in solo and tried to use context clues to figure out who may be Bankston’s loved one’s while also trying to be as respectful as possible of their grief. I hung to the sides and used my long lens to capture emotional moments like this one. I offered my condolences when appropriate, but ultimately tried to minimize my presence in an attempt to be minimally invasive.
Technical details:
Equipment: Canon EOS R5 with an RF 70-200mm f/2.8L lens
Plus, 15 more powerful photos from Sun-Times and WBEZ photographers:
Rose McCollum, mother of Malik Wrightsell, wipes away a tear as she listens to comments about the incident that resulted in the shooting of Wrightsell during a news conference outside of the City of Chicago Public Safety Headquarters in Douglas on Thursday. Malik Wrightsell faces charges of attempted murder against one city police officer and charges of aggravated battery against another after a shooting.
Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times
Severely damaged homes can be seen from the sky near 192nd Place and Oakwood Avenue, after a tornado passed through suburban Lansing on Monday.
Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun-Times
Former President Barak Obama surprises a group of high school freshman girls during the WNBA Changemaker Day at the Obama Presidential Center in Jackson Park on the South Side on July 24.
Candace Dane Chambers/Sun-Times
Josh Cullen of SB19 performs on the Allianz stage on the first day of Lollapalooza at Grant Park.
Pat Nabong/Sun-Times
Blood Orange performs on the Bud Light stage on the first day of Lollapalooza at Grant Park on Thursday.
Manuel Martinez/WBEZ
John Summit performs on the Bud Light stage on the first day of Lollapalooza at Grant Park on Thursday.
Manuel Martinez/WBEZ
Sombr hugs a fan on the first day of Lollapalooza at Grant Park on Thursday.
Pat Nabong/Sun-Times
Elizabeth Nichols performs on the BMI stage on the first day of Lollapalooza at Grant Park on Thursday.
Manuel Martinez/WBEZ
George Clinton stands in front of his painting, “In the Daytime, Bobba!,” which is part of his exhibit, “Mothership” at the Mariane Ibrahim Gallery in West Town on July 25.
Pat Nabong/Sun-Times
Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams #18 pitches to running back Brittain Brown #38 during practice on the first day of training camp Wednesday at Halas Hall in Lake Forest.
Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times
Retired NBA player and hometown hero Dwyane Wade makes a face at his daughter Kaavia James Union Wade during an official street renaming ceremony in his honor in the Village of Robbins on Sunday.
Candace Dane Chambers/Sun-Times
Fans take a photo of their admission bracelets as they wait in line for the Charli xcx Q&A outside Reckless Records in Wicker Park on Thursday before her Lollapalooza performance on Friday.
Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times
Venezuelan migrant Carolina and Manuel’s daughters care for their infant brother while their parents get dressed in their Garfield Park apartment on the West Side on July 23. Carolina was preparing for her immigration court hearing that day.
Candace Dane Chamber/Sun-Times
Scott E. Long holds a photo of his great aunt Mabel Dichmann, who was one of the 844 victims that perished 111 years ago during the SS Eastman disaster, as he stands along the Chicago Riverwalk near the Clark Street Bridge on July 24.
Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun-Times
The iconic Swedish flag water tower stand sentry over the Andersonville neighborhood, Wednesday, July 29, 2026.
TF North basketball coach and former Simeon star Tim Bankston found fatally shot in Auburn Gresham home News Tim Bankston, a South Side basketball star at Simeon and current boys basketball coach at Thornton Fractional North High School in Calumet City, was found fatally shot Wednesday morning inside a home in Auburn Gresham, according to Chicago police. Bankston, 60, was found unresponsive with a gunshot wound to his…
Experts gather to help small businesses rebuild in aftermath of Eaton fire News Visitors check out the Business Resource Fair for local businesses seeking recovery assistance from the Eaton fire at the Altadena Chamber of Commerce in Altadena on Thursday, July 30, 2026. Vendors were on hand to help with tax issues, marketing, and other business resources. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles…
Dawn Staley, Kevin Durant highlight USA Basketball 3×3 tournament News Kevin Durant, the NBA MVP, a two-time NBA champion and four-time Olympian, is back in the lottery this weekend. Durant is one of the celebrity coaches for the USA Basketball Foundation x RX3 Charity 3×3 Tournament at the Open Gym Premier in Ladera Ranch Saturday. Under the format of the…
A different summer. The college recruiting scene has drastically changed in local high school basketball. News The times they are a-changin. Whether talking to old-school coaches and fans who once descended on Morris in the late 1980s or 1990s for the high-profile Morris Shootout, or those who frequented the local shootouts at Riverside-Brookfield or Ridgewood in recent years, when there was an opportunity for college coaches…
We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.
