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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 Mourns The Loss of Wayde Simshttps://t.co/2aRmPgEiK9 pic.twitter.com/Jc0rmxOjU7
— 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:
Lil bro was such a caring individual man I’m hurt. RIP Wayde #Forever44 pic.twitter.com/bENVqdnhYq
— Aaron Epps (@AaronEpps21) September 28, 2018
The sports world offered their condolences after news broke of the tragedy:
RIP Wayde Sims… Damn
— Jarvis Juice Landry (@God_Son80) September 28, 2018
Our hearts go out to Wayde Sims, his family and friends, and everyone in the @LSUBasketball family. The SEC is family and one of our family members is hurting today. #BBN, please keep Wayde and the Tigers in your thoughts and prayers.
— Kentucky Men’s Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) September 28, 2018
We join LSU in mourning the loss of Wayde Sims. Our condolences to his family, friends and teammates. https://t.co/RhkMlIctDB
— NCAA (@NCAA) September 28, 2018
Devasted to hear of the passing of Wayde Sims. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and the entire LSU community during this difficult time. Father God please take care of him!
— Bruce Pearl (@coachbrucepearl) September 28, 2018
Tragic. RIP Wayde Sims. https://t.co/RR2Kcwn6cZ
— Jay Bilas (@JayBilas) September 28, 2018
All leaders and families go through tough things but I can’t imagine what the Sims family, Will Wade and the @LSUBasketball program is going through right now. We are all saddened by Wayde’s loss. I pray that God gives them the strength and courage to deal with this grief.
— Tom Crean (@TomCrean) September 28, 2018
20 years old, man. What a fucking shame.
[h/t ESPN]