Wayne Simien's Jersey Retired Among KU Greats

Jan. 29, 2011

LAWRENCE, Kan. –

During halftime of the Kansas versus K-State game on Jan. 29 Wayne Simien’s jersey was hoisted high in the Allen Fieldhouse rafters. Simien, the 26th player in KU history to have his jersey retired, wore jersey No. 23 from 2002-05.

Finishing 12th in KU history in points (1,593) and seventh in rebounds (884), Simien led Kansas to a 110-28 record during his career. The Jayhawks earned three Big 12 championships during his four years. Simien was the 2005 Big 12 Player of the Year and Consensus First-Team All-American his senior season. He also helped lead Kansas to two Final Four appearances and an Elite Eight during his career.

He was later drafted 29th overall in the first round of the 2005 NBA Draft by the Miami Heat. He won an NBA Championship with the Heat in 2006, and retired from professional basketball in 2009.

Serving his “Called to Greatness” ministry full time, Simien now lives in Lawrence. He also currently holds a volunteer position with Kansas Athletics mentoring student-athletes in all sports, and acting as the men’s basketball team chaplain.

Simien’s jersey hangs with three of his former teammates’, Nick Collison, Drew Gooden and Kirk Hinrich. In Sept. 2010, Simien was also inducted into the Kansas Athletics Hall of Fame. K Club serves as the keeper of the Hall of Fame exhibit, which is housed in the Booth Family Hall of Athletics.