"A player without an ego and a radiant personality": Israeli basketball said goodbye to Willie Sims Israel today

But heavy. 

The basketball world was shocked this evening (Friday) when it was announced that the legend of the past, Willie Sims, died at the age of only 64.

Maccabi Tel Aviv

, in Media played five seasons and won five championships and three cups, said goodbye to one of the most prominent players in its history: "The Maccabi Tel Aviv basketball club bows its head and lowers its flag to half-mast following the untimely passing of Willie Sims, one of the team's stars in the late eighties and early nineties, at the age of 64.

Willy was always a fighter and an athlete with a wonderful smile, who won 5 championships in five seasons with the Yellows, three state cups and appeared three times in the European Final Four.

We send a big hug and our sincere condolences to his family, his friends, his many colleagues in the industry and to the entire Israeli basketball family for the heavy loss.

Of blessed memory".

Willie Sims.

Israeli basketball received a tough news, photo: Moshe Shai

The chairman of the club, Shimon Mizrahi:

"Willy was a soul, a soul, a soul.

A player in all of his limbs and SSA Gidio.

An exemplary athlete who knew with his sportsmanship to encourage others who were with him on the field.

'And it's a pity for Dabdin and we don't forget.'

The club bows its head and lowers its flag to half-mast upon learning of the bitter news."

The league director said:

"The league director bows her head following the passing of the basketball legend, Willie Sims, at the age of 64. Sims left behind magical basketball moments that will be remembered forever. Our condolences to his family and friends. May his memory be blessed."

The chairman of the league directorate, Shmuel Frankel, eulogized:

"We have all followed Willy's condition with great pain in recent months and unfortunately the strong man, the fearless fighter, finally surrendered and the big heart died.

I remember Willie as a great defensive player, a special-task player with no ego and a rare fighting spirit and a radiant personality.

I share in the grief of the family and all the basketball fans who experienced his great moments on the floor.'

Hapoel Eilat reported:

"The Hapoel Eilat basketball club expresses deep sorrow for the untimely passing of former team player Willie Sims.

Willy played in the team between 1992-1996 and was one of the most prominent players at that time.

In addition to his contribution to the senior team, he also served as an assistant and guide to the young players who played in the team's youth division.

Sims is ranked seventh in the team's all-time scorers with 957 points in 97 games out of 3,761 points he scored in the Premier League.

Of blessed memory".

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