Simien shares simple joy

LAWRENCE, Kan. – A weary Wayne Simien had worked his way to the end of a long line of autograph seekers when one bold kid called him back.

Already clutching Simien’s signatures on two pieces of paper, the lad now wanted the 6-foot-9 power forward to sign his shirt.

So Simien did. Instead of simply waving goodbye and heading out the door at the end of a long day, Kansas’ preseason All-American bent down and wrote his name one more time, with a big flourish and a friendly smile for the worshipful little boy.

A rare unselfish act by a star athlete?

Not by Simien’s standards.

“It wasn’t long ago when I was a kid standing there outside that locker room hoping to get autographs,” Simien said. “You can make someone’s day just by signing your name, and it only takes a second.”

The popular Kansas native has led the second-ranked Jayhawks to an undefeated start in what they believe could be a special season, using a combination of quickness and strength to average about a double-double – more than 16 points and nearly 10 rebounds per game – despite often being double-teamed.

But friends and teammates have come to admire his modesty and humility almost as much as they marvel at his skills.

Heck, Simien didn’t stay mad at the guy who stole his truck.

One might think that if anyone had a right to turn a cynical face to the world, it’s the oft-injured and once-betrayed Simien.

As far back as junior high, a demoralizing succession of physical problems has pockmarked his career. He had to miss his high school team’s appearance in the state playoffs his senior year.

Then various ailments with his knee, shoulder and groin caused him to miss 28 games his first three seasons at Kansas.

Especially hard was his sophomore year of 2002-03. First he dislocated his right shoulder during a game in December, causing a cry of agony heard throughout the arena.

After a long and painful rehab process, he tried to come back. But the shoulder popped out of the socket again and he was helped away in terrible pain.

Then only a month or so later the coach who had recruited him since the seventh grade tearfully informed the Jayhawks he was leaving them for North Carolina.

Roy Williams said he honestly did not feel he was betraying his team. But the players, remembering he had promised never to leave, felt differently on that bitter April day.

“I literally gave my right arm to that man,” Simien, who seemed near tears, said as he stomped out of the meeting.

But neither injury nor disappointment seems to stick around long with Simien.

“Wayne is almost too good to be true,” said Bill Self, who replaced Williams as head coach and inherited what is now a talented senior class.

“He’s exactly what you would want your son to be. He’s tough. He’s focused. He’s compassionate. He’s smart. He’s caring. He has a great work ethic, great values.

“He gets more pleasure out of giving to others than anyone else I ever knew.”

He’s also a religious young man. It’s not something he wears on his sleeve. But his faith is the bedrock of his personality and the reason he’s playing so hard his senior year and not worrying about risking a lucrative NBA career with an injury.

He prefers not to talk about getting hurt.

“I feel great,” he said. “I’ve really never felt any better. I know I’m healthy and I’m just going to stay healthy.”

Things like signing autographs and making personal appearances are done willingly and with relish.

“Wayne really believes to whom much is given, much is expected,” Self said. “He understands that because he’s been given an awful lot.”

Getting double-teamed is opening up scoring opportunities outside for teammates such as guards Aaron Miles and Keith Langford, who so far have been able to take advantage.

“Wayne is a horse. We just climb onto his back and ride him to victory,” said Langford.

Things got a bit frantic last summer when Simien awoke one day to find his truck was missing. A jogger found all the belongings he’d stored in the truck on the street.

About three weeks later, police found the truck.

“It was all torn up, but now I’m rolling again,” Simien said.

And if he ever meets the thieves?

“I would forgive them,” he said. “It’s just a car. But you shouldn’t be stealing cars. Hopefully, they’ll break out of that habit and find a new occupation.”