Lousiana State University basketball player, Wayde Sims, was shot and killed near Southern University’s campus early Friday morning (Sept. 28), ESPN reports.
Sims was a 20-year-old junior and hailed from Baton Rouge, La. After being shot, he was taken to the hospital and shortly after being admitted, Sims succumbed to his injuries and died.
“We are all devastated,” LSU coach Will Wade said via a statement. “We need your prayers for Wayde, for his family, for all of us. We are heartbroken.”
Baton Rouge Police Department believe the shooting took place approximately at 12:25 a.m. on a street south of Southern University’s campus at a Subway restaurant.
According to ESPN, the late basketball star was known for being a 6-foot-6 power forward for the LSU Tigers, averaging 5.6 points with 2.9 rebounds in 32 games last season. Sims was also crowned the 2014-15 Gatorade Player of the Year after leading the University Lab High in Baton Rouge to three consecutive state titles from 2014-2016.
The vice chancellor of athletics for Lousiana State noted that Sims was a “lovable young man who was full of joy. We are circling around his teammates and friends who need all the love and support we can give them. We are praying for his family, for his parents. God bless Wayde Sims.”
The university announced Friday morning that counselors would be available to students, teammates, and friends who are affected by his loss.
The investigation into the murder of the kinesiology student is still ongoing and no formal arrests have been made at this time.