Gerald Paddio, a standout on UNLV’s 1987 Final Four squad, was killed Saturday in a single-vehicle crash in Acadia Parish, Louisiana. He was 60. Law enforcement officials said he was pronounced dead at the scene after being ejected from the vehicle.
According to deputies with the Acadia Parish Sheriff’s Office, the wreck happened on Ebenezer Road near Addie Drive, west of Rayne, when the vehicle left the roadway and hit a culvert, KATC reported. Investigators said the driver was thrown from the vehicle and pronounced dead on-site, and the victim was later identified as Paddio. The sheriff’s office has opened an active investigation into what caused the crash.
From Rayne To The Runnin' Rebels
Paddio, a Rayne native, became a key figure at UNLV during the 1986–87 and 1987–88 seasons, when the Runnin’ Rebels went 65–8 and stormed to the 1987 Final Four, according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal. He averaged about 16 points per game and finished his college career as the Rebels’ leading scorer in his final season. Teammates and fans still single out his late-game plays as defining moments from that high-flying era.
NBA And Pro Career
Paddio went on to play three seasons in the NBA, appearing in 129 games with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Seattle SuperSonics, Indiana Pacers, New York Knicks and Washington Bullets, according to NBA.com. After his time in the league, he carved out a lengthy professional career overseas, with stops in Spain, Italy, France, Israel, Japan, Lebanon, Mexico and Argentina, as noted by Newsweek. Coaches and former teammates remembered him as a versatile wing who could score in transition and hold his own on defense.
Legacy In Las Vegas And Acadiana
After retiring from playing, Paddio eventually returned to Las Vegas and later moved back to Louisiana, where his family lived, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported. Among the highlights that cemented his place in UNLV lore were a late three-pointer at Madison Square Garden that sealed a win over Temple in 1986 and his role in sparking a 24–2 run in an Elite Eight victory over Iowa. Friends and former teammates described him as a fierce competitor who carried himself quietly off the court.
The Acadia Parish Sheriff’s Office is continuing its investigation into the crash, and Paddio’s family has been notified, according to KATC. Authorities have not released any additional details.
