62 SPORTS
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN MONDAY,AUGUST 17.2009
SIMIEN (CONTINUED FROM 61)
longer like Alonzo, who had been playing for 10 years, and Gary. "It was an incredible feeling," Simien said.
Two years into his faith, Simien knew he could be tested by the lifestyle of a professional athlete, but he wasn't worried about it. He said he relied on one thing: surrounding himself with strong men of God.
When the Heat would travel on the road, Simien said, he would have close friends meet him at his hotel so he wouldn't be tempted to take part in a lifestyle that conflicted with his faith. He also sometimes stayed at former NBA player A.C. Green's house, someone whose faith was also important to him.
While playing in the NBA, Simien Rnew what kind of money he would make.
"I had a mindset that every penny that I earned, whether it was in the NBA or not, wasn't mine," Simien said. "I didn't do the typical rookie thing."
Simien said he donated money to charity and to his church. His biggest purchase was his Ford F-150 pickup truck.
"I didn't have any elaborate lifestyle," Simien said. "I know that God is my provider whether it's in the NBA, being a minister or working at McDonald's."
Because of the way he handled his money, Simien said, it was easier for him to walk away from the game.
Coming into his second year in the NBA, Simien only played in eight games. The rest of his season was plagued with knee injuries and a
bout with salmonella.
"He couldn't catch a break," Self said. "His body never really gave him a chance."
Simien said it was disappointing not being able to play, but his faith and positive attitude helped him get through. Self agreed.
"If he was frustrated, you wouldn't know it," Self said. "He never said 'Why me?' He used it as a test and I think it made him a stronger person."
LIFE AFTER THE NBA
After his second NBA season, Simien went through changes on and off the court. Off the court, Simien started a family in 2006 when he married his wife, Katie, and by 2008 had two kids. On the court, Simien
bounced back from injury to play professionally in Spain for the team Caceres Ciudad de Baloncesto. But one thing Simien had always enjoyed the most was speaking to youth. In 2008, he started his ministry organization, "Called To Greatness," which works to reach kids through basketball.
Simien said his basketball camp ministry started as a way to carry the torch for camps that were once hosted by former player Danny Manning. Simien himself used to go to those camps as a kid and worked them when he was in high school and college.
"To me it was more of a desire to change the lives of people through Jesus Christ..."
WAYNE SIMIEN
Former Kansas
basketball player
Simien that there's more to life than just sports. As a former Kansas baseball pitcher, Sperry said he appreciated this insight.
"He's very eloquent," Sperry said. "He puts it in words that kids can understand."
The Called To Greatness camps are open to students from 3rd to 12th grade. Simien said there had been talk of branching the camps out to other sports such
A part of the camp experience is Simien's daily message to the kids about God.
Simien started his ministry at Morning Star Church, 998 N 1771 Rd., north of 6th and Wakarusa Streets.
Zach Sperry, Arlington, Texas, junior, got involved in Simien's camp through interning at Morning Star Church. Sperry said that his job was mainly helping with drills and refereeing 3-on-3 games. Sperry said Simien was a genuine person.
as soccer, baseball and dance.
"It's awesome because you can tell how much he loves God by the way he loves people and treats people," Sperry said.
Simien said that when he first decided to become a minister, he got some mixed responses.
Sperry said he learned from
"People were either real excited or asking What the heck are you doing? You could still be playing," Simien said.
It's been a long journey for the Leavenworth native, from winning an NBA championship to full-time ministry, but Simien said it was the right focus for him.
"To me," Simien said, "it was more of a desire to change the lives of people through Jesus Christ than playing basketball for a paycheck."
Edited by Derek Zarda
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