Former Jayhawk upbeat despite release

Family man Simien intends to finish rehab, return to NBA next season

Wayne Simien didn’t forget his Kansas roots during his two seasons with the Miami Heat.

“The whole city was tired of me bragging about the ‘Hawks. Now with the ‘Hawks in the Orange Bowl, the whole city gets to see what I was talking about,” former Kansas University power forward Simien said of KU’s football Jayhawks, who will play against ACC champion Virginia Tech in the Orange Bowl on Jan. 3 in Miami.

The former Leavenworth High all-stater – he was traded by the Heat to Minnesota during the 2007-08 preseason and subsequently released by the Timberwolves – no longer is living in Miami.

He’s residing with wife, Katie, and baby daughter, Selah, in Indianapolis, where he’s rehabbing and working out with a trainer.

“It’s a lot colder here,” Simien said in a phone conversation from Indy. “We got four inches of snow on the ground. I said, ‘Why did we leave Miami again?’ I should have stayed there,” he cracked.

He was unwanted by the Heat, however. The team let him go via trade after the 6-foot-9, 250-pounder missed all but eight games last year because of a bout with Salmonella and most of the preseason following offseason knee surgery.

“This is not the faithful Kansas Jayhawks. People don’t understand. On this level, this is a business,” Simien said. “I hated to leave Miami and my teammates there. I do realize it’s a decision where they have to do what’s best for the team. There’s no ill will toward being released by the Timberwolves.”

No ill will because he still is getting paid.

“Thankfully NBA contracts are guaranteed,” said Simien, who was paid $932,760 last season and is making more than $1 million this year in salary paid to him by the Wolves.

“I can focus on getting my knee strength back and getting at it. Hopefully I’ll be back in January or February and sign with a team later.”

For a time, the former first-round draft pick was thought of highly in Miami. Coach Pat Riley, however, didn’t seem patient in keeping Simien aboard as he rehabbed from his latest knee injury.

“I had surgery this summer in July and had gotten my kneecap shaved down,” Simien said. “It gave me problems during the preseason camp and kept swelling up. I was not able to play during that vital time. It’s when I got traded to Minnesota.

“I couldn’t give them (Timberwolves) a timeline when I’d be able to play this season. So they went ahead and bought my contract out and released me, which is not a bad thing.”

Now he and his agent, Leigh Steinberg, can pick a team. He’ll likely attend a squad’s veteran camp next preseason in hopes of netting a new contract.

“There’s not any specific team I’d like to be with,” Simien said. “I enjoyed playing for Stan Van Gundy (current Orlando coach) those first few months my rookie year. We have a relationship built up. Outside of the Heat and Stan … that’s all I know. Any team would be nice. I want to get back in the league this year, but my main focus is get healthy.”

Simien said he was in no hurry to give up basketball and perhaps pursue a career as a minister. A man of deep faith, he’d said in the past that might be an avenue he’d like to explore someday.

“That was in my heart at the beginning when I first had a transformation in life,” Simien said. “One of the great things I learned to look into the last few years is you can be a minister in every area of life and not be ‘Pastor Wayne’ or ‘Preacher Wayne.’ I still have it in my heart. But it’s my main focus trying to live it out every day of my life and administer with people.

“I am working in the inner city, working with high school kids here in Indianapolis in one of the poorest areas around. It is really fulfilling that desire.”

Simien finds time to keep in touch with KU coach Bill Self and former teammate Michael Lee, currently a graduate assistant manager on Self’s staff.

Simien plans on returning for the KU basketball reunion in February.

“I talk to somebody from the office at least once a week. Danny (Manning, assistant) and I text back and forth,” Simien said. “Of course I follow them. I’m looking forward to coming back. My daughter is really excited. She’s getting big enough to fit in her (KU) cheerleader outfit. She’ll wear that during the game (reunion vs. Colorado on Feb. 16).”

Self believes Simien will return to the NBA.

“Wayne was not disappointed. He was upbeat about it,” Self said of his release by Minnesota. “The thing about ‘Dub’ … to this day I never coached a better college player. Nobody I coached before the game started you could pencil in 23 (points) and 11 (rebounds). He could play badly and get 20. If great 25, but he hasn’t been healthy since he’s been there. You are looking at a guy who had Salmonella a whole year. This summer he got his knee scoped after summer workouts. He’s not quite whole yet. He has not operated where he could give 100 percent. Hopefully he can get healthy. He can play at that level and impact that franchise. He’s not had the opportunity yet.”