Basketball Sports Spectrum Podcast

SS PODCAST: Former Kansas star Wayne Simien on basketball as ministry, serving Jesus

By Jason Romano Mar 13, 2023
(Photo courtesy of Wayne Simien)

THIS IS THE SPORTS SPECTRUM PODCAST
WITH JASON ROMANO, FEATURING WAYNE SIMIEN

Wayne Simien is a character coach with the Kansas Jayhawks. He played his college ball at KU, where he was a consensus first-team All-American and Big 12 Player of the Year in 2005. His success in college led to him becoming a first-round selection in the 2005 NBA Draft by the Miami Heat (29th overall).

Simien played two seasons with the Heat, and in 2006 as a rookie earned an NBA championship ring alongside Dwyane Wade and Shaquille O’Neal as the franchise won its first-ever title. In October 2007, Simien was traded to Minnesota but never played another game in the NBA. He played a few more years in Spain before retiring in May 2009 at the age of 26 to pursue ministry work.

Today, he is serving as Kansas’ associate athletic director of engagement and outreach, and his No. 23 is retired at Allen Fieldhouse.

On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Wayne Simien about his unique role at Kansas, why he considers his work to be ministry, growing up a Jayhawks fan, and lessons learned from legendary coaches Roy Williams, Bill Self and Pat Riley.

RELATED PODCASTS:
– Wayne Simien from 2019
– Brian Hanni, Kansas Jayhawks Radio Voice

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