Gerald Paddio, a star forward at UNLV who played for five different teams in three NBA seasons, died April 4. He was 60.
Paddio was identified as deceased at the scene of a single-vehicle accident on the side of a two-lane road near Rayne, Louisiana, by Acadia Parish Sheriff K.P. Gibson, according to multiple reports. Newsweek Sports has reached out to the Sheriff’s office for confirmation.
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Paddio played 129 games over three NBA seasons for the Cleveland Cavaliers (1990-91), Seattle SuperSonics (1992-93), Indiana Pacers (1993-94), New York Knicks (1993-94) and Washington Bullets (1993-94).
Paddio averaged 5.5 points in 12.6 minutes per game before retiring.
A small forward, Paddio played for Kilgore College and Seminole State before transferring to the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. At UNLV, Paddio helped head coach Jerry Tarkanian’s team reach the Final Four in 1987.
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Paddio averaged 13.1 points, 4.3 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 39 games (37 starts) for the 37-2 Runnin’ Rebels.
Paddio was selected by the Boston Celtics in the third round (74th overall) of the 1988 NBA draft.
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As a pro, Paddio also played two seasons in Spain, another in Italy, one in France, and competed for Maccabi Tel Aviv in the 1995 FIBA Korac Cup. He also played overseas in Argentina, Japan, Lebanon and Mexico.
More to come on this story.
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