LSU men’s basketball player Wayde Sims killed in shooting

LSU men’s basketball player Wayde Sims was killed in a shooting early Friday morning in Baton Rouge near the Southern University campus. He was 20.

According to Baton Rouge police, the shooting reportedly took place about 12:25 a.m. at a Subway restaurant across from Southern’s football stadium. Sims was transported to a local hospital and later died as a result of the gunshot wound.

“We are all devastated,” LSU coach Will Wade said in a statement released Friday. “We need your prayers for Wayde, for his family, for all of us. We are heartbroken.”

Wade provided additional comments at a Friday morning news conference.

The university said that counselors and support have been made immediately available to teammates and friends.

“Wayde Sims’ loss is simply unbelievable to us right now,” said LSU vice chancellor and director of athletics Joe Alleva. “There are no words that can express our sorrow for his parents and family. He was such 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.”

“We are stunned and shaken,” LSU President F. King Alexander said. “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 started 10 games at forward for the Tigers last season, averaging 5.6 points per game, and had a career-high 16 points in a February game against Vanderbilt. Wade had singled out Sims’ offseason efforts in media interviews earlier this week.

Sims attended University High in Baton Rouge. His father, Wayne Sims, played at LSU during the Dale Brown era.