LSUbasketball player Wayde Sims passed away from a gunshot wound early Friday near Southern University, Ohio's Fox 8 affiliate reports. After the shooting occurred around 12:25 a.m., the 20-year-old—a junior forward for the Tigers—was sent to a local hospital, where succumbed to his injuries.
A video that apparently captured just before Sims was shot began circling Friday morning. In the footage, a group of unknown males are tussling and a gunshot can be heard towards the end.
During his sophomore season, Sims played 32 games and was named the Louisiana Gatorade Player of the Year in 2014 and 2015. Sims’ father Wayne Sims also played basketball at LSU.
LSU basketball’s head coach Will Wade shared his thoughts about the tragedy on Friday morning. “We are all devastated. We need your prayers for Wayde, for his family, for all of us. We are heartbroken.” Wade told his team about Sims’ passing during a Friday team meeting.
LSU vice chancellor and director of athletics Joe Alleva also released a statement. “Wayde Sims’ loss is simply unbelievable to us right now,” he said, adding that this is the most depressing day in his 40-year career in collegiate athletics.
