Tragedy struck the college basketball community on Friday morning as LSU basketball player Wayde Sims was shot and killed outside a Subway restaurant near the campus of Southern University.
Sims, a 20-year-old junior from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, was shot 1:25 a.m. ET Friday and later passed at the local hospital.
Police are deeming it a homicide, but no further details have been made public.— LSU Basketball (@LSUBasketball) September 28, 2018
LSU coach Will Wade said in an official statement about losing his “lovable” 6’6” power forward:
We are all devastated. We need your prayers for Wayde, for his family, for all of us. We are heartbroken.”
LSU President F. King Alexander added:
“We are stunned and shaken. To say we are grief-stricken is an understatement. Wayde was a beloved member of the LSU community whose leadership was treasured by his coach and his teammates. I knew him personally and liked him tremendously. The void left by his passing will be immense, and we ask that you keep his family in your prayers.”
Sims averaged 5.6 points with 2.9 rebounds in 32 games last season. According to ESPN, he was the Louisiana 2014-15 Gatorade Player of the Year after leading University Lab High to three straight state titles from 2014 to 2016.
Sim’s LSU teammate, Aaron Epps, expressed his sorrow on Twitter hours after his friend’s passing:
— Aaron Epps (@AaronEpps21) September 28, 2018
The sports world offered their condolences after news broke of the tragedy:
— Jarvis Juice Landry (@God_Son80) September 28, 2018
— Kentucky Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) September 28, 2018
— NCAA (@NCAA) September 28, 2018
— Bruce Pearl (@coachbrucepearl) September 28, 2018
— Jay Bilas (@JayBilas) September 28, 2018
— Tom Crean (@TomCrean) September 28, 2018
20 years old, man. What a fucking shame.
[h/t ESPN]
