At 60 years old, Bankston was found dead with a gunshot wound to the stomach in a house near 77th Street and Emerald Avenue, according to police. Relatives confirmed that his body was at a friend's home, which the friend had left and returned to find the tragic scene.
Remembered for More Than the Game
Karolyn Wright, Bankston's sister, called him 'such a beautiful spirit,' emphasizing his role as more than just a basketball coach but as a devoted family man whose impact extended beyond the court.
Friends and family gathered outside the home to honor his memory. His son, Timothy Bankston Jr., spoke about the duty to continue his legacy, saying, 'My dad is a part of me. I have his name. I can carry his legacy.'
Charles Bankston, his brother, described his grief as overwhelming, saying the pain felt 'like everything I could never imagine in my life.' His death is seen as a loss not just for family but for the entire community.
Sean Wright, a former Simeon teammate, described the moment his friend found the body: 'He came back and saw the back door open. He spotted my brother's feet and went over. He bent down to check. He was already cold.'
Bankston's basketball career included leading Simeon High to a state championship in 1984, the same year teammate Ben Wilson was shot and killed. Wright commented on the tragedy: 'Ben Wilson, him, Kenny (sp?). They’ll all touch hands again and welcome him home.' Authorities have not announced any arrests, and it remains unclear how long Bankston’s body was undiscovered. The investigation is ongoing.