The news of the tragic passing of former LSU Tigers star Wayne Sims has left many hearts broken, including that of Shaquille O’Neal, who had played alongside the 54-year-old during their college days and went on to win titles for LSU. The untimely demise of his former teammate, who had already suffered the loss of his son a few years earlier, has left Shaq and the entire basketball community in a state of shock and disbelief.
In an attempt to pay his respects and honor the memory of his dear friend, the Los Angeles Lakers legend took to his social media to break his silence after the passing of Sims a few days prior. While the reason behind his death remains unknown, thousands of people came together to grieve the unexpected loss of Wayne Sims.
The bond between Shaq and Sims dates back to the 1990s when they both played for the LSU Tigers. Known fondly as ‘Big Daddy’, Sims was an integral part of the team, described by their head coach Dale Brown as a “base”. Sims played in a total of 117 games for LSU, amassing 1107 points and 603 rebounds, with his senior year seeing him average 21.9 points per game.
Following the heartbreaking news of his passing, the four-time NBA champion took to Instagram to share an emotional note, writing, “Rest in power big daddy. You showed me the way at LSU brother,” alongside a picture of him dapping up Sims. It is worth noting that a few years earlier, Sims had also suffered the loss of his son Wayde Sims, who played for the Tigers from 2016 to 2018 and was fatally shot after an altercation outside the campus.
The death of Wayne Sims has undoubtedly left a void in the hearts of many, especially those who knew him personally. Shaquille O’Neal’s tribute to his former teammate is a testament to the deep bond they shared, one that was built on trust, respect, and mutual admiration. Sims will be remembered for his contribution to the LSU Tigers and the impact he had on the lives of those who knew him, both on and off the court.
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