Former Chicago high school basketball standout gunned down

CHICAGO – A former Chicago high school basketball standout who went on to play in college was shot to death Monday on the city’s West Side, authorities said.

Jonathan Mills suffered several gunshot wounds and was pronounced dead on the scene, police spokesman Officer Thomas Sweeny said. Sweeney had no other details about the shooting for which no arrests have been made.

Mills, 26, played forward and centre for North Lawndale College Prep, leading the team to the Public League title in 2009 and third place in the Class 3A state tournament.

“Jon spoke to our teams so many times about what it takes and how to grow up in this type of atmosphere,” North Lawndale assistant coach Terrence Redmond said. “It’s tough. He loved this city, and he represented Chicago throughout the United States.”

Mills, the father of two daughters, went on to play at Eastern Utah Community College and for the University of Southern Mississippi.

North Lawndale basketball coach Lewis Thorpe said he and Mills had plans to practice basketball Monday afternoon in the school’s gym. Mills was hoping to play basketball overseas and wanted to be in top shape, Thorpe said.

Former Tennessee basketball coach Donnie Tyndall, who coached Mills at Southern Mississippi, called him the “toughest kid” he’s ever coached.

After Southern Mississippi, Mills played for the semi-professional Chicago Fury of the Midwest Basketball League. He also played for the National Basketball League of Canada’s London Lightning.