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In basketball, there are scorers and there are shooters. Billy Harris became a playground legend and one of the most celebrated high school basketball players in the history of the Chicago Public League by becoming the fastest and most accurate gunslinger on the block. He didn't earn his nickname, Billy the Kid, for shooting blanks.
Think of the greatest pure shooters ever produced in Illinois. Lawrenceville's Jay Shidler immediately comes to mind. So do Carver's Pete Cunningham, Elgin's Flynn Robinson, West Aurora's Bill Small, Thornton's Lloyd Batts, Bloom's Brandon Cole and Glenbrook North's Jon Scheyer. It is a distinguished list. But it is hard to imagine that anyone could outshoot Billy Harris.
He suffered a massive stroke and died on Saturday night. He was 58. He is survived by a wife and six children. It was much too soon.
While I was working for the St. Louis Globe-Democrat from 1966 to 1968, I saw a great shooter, Collinsville's Tom Parker. I saw him score 50 points in the championship game of the Carbondale Holiday Tournament, a record that still stands. As good as he was, however, Parker didn't possess the shooting range that Harris had.
The 1968-69 basketball season was my first as high school sports editor of the Chicago Daily News. I had seen some of the Chicago Public League legends of the past, including Paxton Lumpkin, Sweet Charlie Brown, George Wilson and Cazzie Russell, in the state tournament. But 1968-69 was a special season.
I had heard about his high scoring, hot-shooting guard at Dunbar and was anxious to see him. In one game against Du Sable, I saw him convert 27 of 29 shots while scoring a career-high 57 points. In an era before the three-point line was introduced, Harris made 25-footers as casually and as effortlessly as layups.
Harris' playground reputation preceeded him. Everyone was in awe of his long-range shooting skills. He was a member of an All-State team than included Thornton's Lloyd Batts, Proviso East's Jim Brewer, Champaign Central's Clyde Turner, Downers Grove North's Jeff Dawson, Elgin's Rick Sund, Carbondale's Les Taylor, Parker's Albert Burks, Marshall's Chester Fuller, Hales Franciscan's Sam Puckett, Rockford West's Mark Sibley and Peoria Spalding's Alvin O'Neal.
His high school coach, Jim Foreman, said he was the best pure shooter he ever saw. He said Harris would have averaged 50 to 60 points per game if the three-point line had been in effect during his career. As it was, he averaged 26 as a junior and 33 as a senior.
As a senior at Northern Illinois, he averaged 24 points, scored 38 in a game at New York's Madison Square Garden and led the Huskies to a stunning upset of fifth-ranked Indiana. He was the No. 3 scorer in NIU history and was named to the school's All-Century team.
That he didn't have a successful professional career after being selected in the sixth round of the 1973 NBA draft by the Chicago Bulls is unfortunate. In truth, he was more interested in scoring than playing defense. He didn't fit into Bulls coach Dick Motta's structured system.
But Harris was an entertainer. He and Lloyd Batts were teammates on coach Shelly Stark's summer league teams. They were so good that NBA players didn't want any part of them. Lloyd Walton, who played at Mount Carmel, Marquette and the NBA, said Harris grabbed all of the attention when he walked into a gym. "Everything he did was spectacular," Walton said.
"Talent can be a curse," Harris once said. "I was born to play basketball, to do it well. But I had those dreams shattered.
"I played against all the great players on the playground, against Bo Ellis and Sonny Parker. If you put all of the great players from Chicago in a room, they would acknowledge that I'm the Grand Poobah. I was shooting three-pointers before they painted an arc on the floor. What made me different from others is I had a desire to be the best."
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Rest in peace Wild Bill, God bless you.
Brother Bill, you will be missed. I will admit that I was mad at you and your brother for playing at Dunbar and not Phillips.
Taylor,
I grew uwatching and playing against some of the names you mentioned. Never got the chance to see Harris play however. During those days of the late 60's many CPL players had the bad rap of playing sloppy defense after killing you on the offensive side.
Harris was very special. Every kid playing that year from Wheeling to Pekin knew about him.
Some of my other favorite long range acts:
Dale Kelly....1966
Jay Shidler....1977
Tom Parker.....1967
John Tomlinson...1978
I had the privlige 2 see Billy 'practice' & play as a student & former athlete at Dunbar.Some of the things that he did in practice that people did'nt see were unbelievable!!!!!!!!!R.I.P. Sweet B BEAR BACK
Thanks for being the best bill, All will miss you. You have been a awesome friend for many, many year's ( RIP )
My frined
Marvin Minder
I went to Dunbar H.S. with Willie and Billy, while I played football I watched both Harris brothers play basketball.Michael Jordan should consider Billy Harris as his "idol" that is how good of a basketball player he was.Rest in peace - Dunbar Mightymen forever.
Lloyd Norman Hyde Park Academy P.E. Dept.
Brother Billy: one of the biggest trash talkers and best ballplayers to ever grace this Earth! I had the great honor of being in the Dunbar class of 1969 with Billy. I was a cheerleader so I had a ringside seat to enjoy his amazing jumpers. Thanks for the memories - you will be missed.
Billy, thanks for all the good times and you will always be my brother, you will be missed.
RIP
CHUCK BRAKES
I reside in Tulsa Ok now but spent 19 years in Chicago and had the opportunity to compete against Billy. He had "swagger" and a real passion for the game. I really enjoyed watching him perform there was never any doubt that he came to play.
I hope that he is remember in grand style and grace.
W. Griffin
I was a freshman at Dusable High in 1969. We had Mitch, Moody, Cross, Mike and Salias, Dusable did not lose in the Paradise' Here Comes Dunbar", I can remember everyone
saying, "Who is this Kid name Billy, Who is this Billy Guy",
It was a Lot of Talk about Him, He was the Talk,
When the Game was over, Everyone knew who Billy "The Kid"
Harris was. He Shot 57 pts From the Double Green line.
I never seen anyone ever did that in a Game. And I still
say, "I never seen anyone to yet still do what he did,
High school or Pro".
The Pro's Missed a Great One, The professional Game was not ready for Billy.
"My Man" the KID for all Real Ballplayers, You got my Prop's,
May you Be Blessed in Peace
E.
Billy (The Kid) Harris. Just for the record, before there was Micheal Jordan there was Billy Harris. He was a basketball great, a playground legend, a basketball painter like Picasso, and the mouth of the south, like Muhammad Ali.Billy was a basketball rock star. People would carry his gym bags to get in crowded gyms to see him play. Billy (The Kid) Harris home court was everywhere, but his main court was 3919 S. Federal St. in Robert Taylor Projects. You need to understand, we/he did not have much growing up. We had heat, food, and a few clothes on our back.I went to the Harris house as a kid to hang with Jimmy Harris. Rarely did I see Billy that was because from sun up to sun down he was on the court.I pause now for a second, if you played against Billy stand up and if he said something to you on the court remain staning. Billy played with the best: The Parhams, The Breaks, Arthur Sibble, Raymond Price, Carl Gholston, Carl Harris,and Ronnie Lester just to name a few. But his biggest fans were his Mom (Ms. Harris), She loved all of the boys and girls, his brother,(Willie)the only person that I saw pin his shot against the backboard at DVS HS. and his closest friend, Reggie (Duke) Johnson. Billy and Reggie would play and for some strange reason niether one of them never won.So in closing, I still hear the sounds of the gym shoes on the floor and ground, the chatter of Billy (The Kid) Harris, and the echoing of the sidelines saying: That is Billy Harris with the ball. Remember his coach, Jim Foreman, who coached the wind in Billy and Mama Dawson who would and could break Billy down to earth. The greatest game of all times was when he went into the Panther's Paradise and won the game.Well, rip in peace, Billy from Eugene (Rip)Boyd who have seen a lot of south side players
Rest in peace. Thanks for all the good days at Dumbar.Will remember you always. Mighty men forever. Al Cooke your friend from Wentworth Gardens Projects
Billy "the kid" Harris, the legendary shooter was an inspiration to all of us who followed him at Dunbar. We all had the utmost respect for Billy. He was one of those idols who made us all proud to represent Dunbar high school. We heard all of the stories and were in awe when we actually got to play with and against him in later years. We found that the stories were true as he talked a little trash while dropping that one-handed release jump-shot from long distance. It was always a treat to watch him in the Dr. King Boys Club summer league, and also at Chicago State. He put on a show like non-other. Billy had athleticism as well as the long range shooting skills. He could put it on the floor and throw it down with the best of them. His younger brothers Anthony and Phil,stand out players in their own right, played at Dunbar with myself, Ronnie Lester, Gerald Harris, Homer Lyons, Ken Dancy, Darryl Sigh, Lavon Giles, Ty Reese, Nate Strickland and others. With a great deal of respect, I'd like to give my condolences to the Harris family. Rest in peace Billy. The Dunbar family will miss you, but will always remember how special you were.
Had to weigh in on this, Taylor. For those of us who played in the Chicago Public League in the late 60s, Billy was a giant. I had the privilege of getting to play against him and get to know him a bit because,as you know, my HS coach at Harlan (Lee Umbles) and Billy's HS coach (Jim Foreman) were good friends. As a result, Mr. Umbles would often take us to Dunbar in the summers to scrimmage against Dunbar's teams. Billy's skills, particularly his long-range shooting and "hops" were off-the-charts. Also, off-the-charts, was his engaging personality, or what if referred to today as "swagger". He had it more than any other player of our time. My memories of playing against him, watching him play at Dunbar, Northern Illinois and in the Summer Leagues at the Martin Luther King Boys Club and Chicago State, are everlasting. He was one our best and most colorful and will be associated as much as any player with the tremendous history of Chicago Public League basketball. My deepest condolences to Billy's family.
I remember Billy from before he became a high-school legend. This was back in 1964-65, when both I and his brother Willy were trying to make the team at Dunbar. In those days, you were able to travel to different parts of the city to play ball. Billy was the little kid who always wanted to go with us, but we always said, "No, you're too small." After I left Dunbar in 1966, the next thing I hear in 1969 is about this kid at Dunbar who is 6' 2'' scoring 30 points a game and I said to myself, "You got to be kidding. It's the little kid who we never took with us." Some of us from that era realize that the reason he never played pro-ball was because at that time a lot of players, especially Black players from Chicago, were blackballed, and he happened to be one of them. Rest in Peace Billy.
I attended Dunbar when they were a powerhouse. I was a classmate of his brother Jimmy and would got to games and watched him shoot half court all day long. He was the best shooter I ever saw. He was a great person off the court and on, I know he will surely be missed by a great number of people. I am proud to say that I knew him. My prayers go out to the family. P.S. I always thought he got a raw deal.
Billy the greatest basketball player from Chicago. I learned so much from you. I incorporated some of your style of play at the small and power forward position. I remember the times when we would visit each other when you were at NIU and I at Aurora college. I also remember when you were at the Bull's training camp and I was practicing with you and the team though I was still in school. I know the real reason why you did not make the team. I enjoyed playing with you and against you. Thank you for showing and teaching me how to play this wonderful game of basketball. RIP love you always
When I first read about Billy Harris's passing, in the recesses of mind, I said he sounds too familiar like I should know him even though he was six years older than me. So I called my brother in LA who is also a 1970 alum of Dunbar and he was momentarily speechless and saddened because he knew Billy Harris and of his superb athletic abilities. My brother started rattling off games Mr. Harris played in and the points he scored like they just happened yesterday. He was especially excited when he mentioned the game between Dunbar and DuSable. Our other brother was an alum of DuSable. Back in the day, Dunbar and DuSable were rivals, and of course, Phillips. If you lived in Robert Taylor you attended one of these three schools and believe me the sporting competition was fierce, but fun. Those who came behind Billy Harris from DVHS, Michael Poole, Tommie Harris, Sterling Williams, Ronnie Lester, Gerald Harris and others knew what incredible talent this man had. My condolences to the Harris family and may God keep his loving arms around you during this time of bereavement.
I am a Robert Taylor Project homie.
I remember Billy Harris as a great high school player. I went to DuSable High and was on the frosh-soph team in 1969/70 when Billy came to play our varsity team at the Panther Paradise (the name for our high school gym). We went to Dunbar to play them also. After one game there we were talking on the back of the bus to one of our best varsity players Mitchell Mosley. Mitch described the shot that Billy made from Half Court: I was sticking Billy the best that he could then suddenly at half court Billy started to rise up so Mitch said I better jump up some, but Billy kept rising up and up and suddenly his feet was in my face and he looked at me and said GET DOWN!! and the ball went through all net...Mitch said that he jumped as high as he could and Billy's feet was still in his face. that was enough to intimidate him for the rest of the game.. We all laughed because we new Billy was great and no could stop him. I am not sure but that was probably a 50 point game for him.
Some one please tell his daughter at the Tribune to contact me..I would like to write a story /book on the other legends of the Chicago high school basket ball stars 1969-72.. that were great Larry Cross, George Vaughn, Larry Moody. Maurice Cheeks was on Frosh team when I played varsity for DuSable..Also went to college with some guys that live in Billy building 3919 s. federal McDowell lived in 809 and Watkins lived in 206.
I heard that Mr. "T" lived in that Robert Taylor building also!!
This is a great article on Billy, http://mystateline.com/content/fulltext/?cid=126382.
I played with and against Billy on the Chicago playgrounds; at Lindblom (before Dunbar), as a team-mate at NIU; and semi-pro and summer Pro/Am. I was two years ahead of Billy and watched him blossom to become one of the most talented and exciting basketball players to come out of Chicago. His quickness, elevation, and accuracy of his jump shot was phenomenal. He would make three or four of those long range jumpers in a row and you could see it take the heart out of an opponent. When you played against Billy you knew it was going to be extremely competitive and verbal; and he hated losing. I had great respect and admiration for his game and his competitive spirit. There have been many great players to come out of Chicago. Billy “The Kid” Harris was at the top of the list and he will surely be missed by us all. Billy, thanks for the memories.
HI MY NAME IS ALONZO SKANES AND I PLAYED FOR DUNBAR 1978-1982. ITS ALWAYS A LOST WHEN ANY LIFE IS TAKEN. MY PRAYERS GOES OUT TO HIS FAMILY. HE HAS NOW ENTERED INTO THE WORLD OF GOD AND HE WILL BE REMEMBERED AND GOD WILL TAKE CARE OF HIM AND HIS FAMILY. I NEVER GOT A CHANCE TO SEE HIM PLAY BUT ALL YOU HAD TO DO IS MENTION HIS NAME AND IT WAS ON LIKE A NECKBONE. EVERYONE WILL NEVER FORGET HIM. NOW HE IS PLAYING BASKETBALL IN HEAVEN WITH ALL THE GREATS. GOD BLESS THE WORLD.
First, I like to give my sincere condolence to the Harris family. I knew all of Billy’s siblings and mother. My view of Billy was that of a shorty watching one of the big boys who just happen to be famous. He tried to be, and was an alternate male role model to what young men could accomplish outside of the gang banging, pimping or selling drugs. This was doing a time when there were no other positive role models who would dwell in the projects. I personally acted in a manner when Billy could have checked me, but never did. He always presented himself to me in a humble manner, even at times when he could and probably should have put his foot in my behind. I often think of the talent that God gave him, which was to play ball and sing. It takes someone like me who lived a floor below the Harris’ to know that he sung as good as he played ball. He was one who spent a lot of nights around 3919 Federal singing doo wap, but we called it harmonizing in the hallways and the streets. I even spoke with him many times throughout the years, so I’m not missing anything. He was a great man, inspirational, and he helped set the mark that it does not matter where we come from and that our gifts can take us far. He is the closet person that I personally ever known to be a star. May those of us who knew your true worth continue to carry your name and contributions throughout all generations’. In the name of God’s son may you find rest with him Billy.
Jerry Jones (3919 Apt. 401)
I had the pleasure of watching Billy "The Kid" Harris play several times. At the time, I attended Crane High School where I witnessed Jerome "Captain Hook" Freeman (who was the best point guard in the Chicago Public League) perform feats of magic against Kevin Porter and Larry Cross of DuSable High School, and George Mitchell of Marshall High School, during the 1968 CPS semi-finals and finals held at DePaul Alumni Hall. I also had the privilege of playing neighborhood basketball against Chris Walker of St. Phillips, Arthur Sivels and Nate "The Snake" Williams of Crane; Chester Fuller (who had only one eye) and Rich Bradshaw of Marshall High School. Furthermore, I played pick-up games against Sam Puckett of Hales Franciscan, Lamar "Money" Mondane of Marshall, and LeArthur Scott of Gordon Tech. But in all honesty, there was NOBODY like the "Kid." It is unfortunate that he never made it to the "big stage" because of personal and other distractions. Yes, New York had its Pee Wee Kirkland and Earl "The Goat" Manigault, but Chicago had "The Kid" the fastest and most accurate shooter in the West! Rest in peace "Kid" your legend still lives on...
Wow! I was looking for information on Chicago players with a connection to St Philips and I found this blog on Billy Harris. Yes, I hear all of the acclaim for his skills, and I only wish that more people could have seen him play.
BTW:
The info I was looking for was the St Philip connection to the Gordon Tech Catholic League Championships: Learthur Scott, Marshall Hill, and Ralph Valot. That team launched the career of Dick Versace (NBA, Bradley U, and Gordon Tech coach). Other ballers mentioned by David Penn were Chris Walker; man what a player, but I guess Billy was even more prolific. Chris Walker...man! Other St Philip guys were, Lord-Henry Thomas (Isaiah's brother), Larry Thomas (Isaiah’s other brother, one of the greatest, but wasn't even on the team), Ralph Watson, Harvel Floyd, the Matten brothers, Greg Walker, Danny Parker, Reg Williams, Ray Chandler, Milton Burr, Ed Lowery, Oscar Porter, Barney Allison, Herbert Collins, Donald Harris, Ron Williams, Ralph Walker, Ramsey Demens, Tito Peppin, Anton Anthony, and on, on. Maybe you don't know any of these guys, but what a basketball heritage St Philips provided!
Nonetheless, this is all about the mighty man of Dunbar HS, Billy Harris! I think I'll go lace up my Chuck Taylors and throw up some bricks. (Homer Haynes)
I Played basketball for Dunbar H.S. and was blessed to get to stay after practice to see Billy Harris practice by request of then coach Raymond(Sweet Smelling)Price.After all the stories of hearing about this legend I will always remember how he looked shooting that jump shot from the locker room.Once a Mighty Man always a Mighty Man. Coach Price once said to Slick Harris and I, if I could put you together,I would have a All-State ballplayer.Thank You Billy for I have a son named Anfernee and the dream lives on Rip.
Having played against Billy Harris why'll playing at crane tech he is without question came before his time and was never understood by coaches because of his advance skills and knowledge of the game of basketball and life. And to be honest to compare micheal jordon to Billy Harris is disrepectful because jordon was soft and would have been a average player in the era billy played in because their was no cupcake teams or players in the city. Ifeel blessed to have played against him. RIP
I remember hearing alott about Billy Harris,he truly was one of chicago's greatest. There are so many the list is endless. Newyork has hip hop LA has gangs we have BASKETBALL its a culture a way of life. Someone needs to do a book on all the chitown greats. It would do chicago as well as basketball a big justice. Lets face it chicago hoopers run the league.It wil also serve our youngsters, to show where they came from the tourch they have to carry and the do and donts of being a true student athlete. Theres more that dont make it than those that do lets take care of these kids if we dont who else will RIP Mr. Harris Yo Boy ChinnyWest (901)351-8825
RIP Billy The Kid Harris. Your on the court talent was second to none/ You were a true entertainer and a one in a million,one of a kind scoring machine. While playing with you I found myself watching the show just like the fans in the stands. While playing against you there were few offenseive rebounds because you made most if not all of your shots. There is no Chicago basketball without the name Billy Harris.
Mike Bart Mathews Hirsch 1973 Illinois State Class AA High School Basketball Champions.