- Today
- Holidays
- Birthdays
- Reminders
- Cities
- Atlanta
- Austin
- Baltimore
- Berwyn
- Beverly Hills
- Birmingham
- Boston
- Brooklyn
- Buffalo
- Charlotte
- Chicago
- Cincinnati
- Cleveland
- Columbus
- Dallas
- Denver
- Detroit
- Fort Worth
- Houston
- Indianapolis
- Knoxville
- Las Vegas
- Los Angeles
- Louisville
- Madison
- Memphis
- Miami
- Milwaukee
- Minneapolis
- Nashville
- New Orleans
- New York
- Omaha
- Orlando
- Philadelphia
- Phoenix
- Pittsburgh
- Portland
- Raleigh
- Richmond
- Rutherford
- Sacramento
- Salt Lake City
- San Antonio
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- San Jose
- Seattle
- Tampa
- Tucson
- Washington
Former Cavaliers Forward Gerald Paddio Dies in Car Crash
The 60-year-old played parts of three NBA seasons, including with the Cleveland Cavaliers in 1990-91.
Apr. 5, 2026 at 11:38am
Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›
Gerald Paddio, a former NBA forward who spent part of the 1990-91 season with the Cleveland Cavaliers, died in a single-vehicle car accident in Louisiana on Saturday. He was 60 years old.
Why it matters
Paddio's death is a tragic loss for the basketball community, as he was a versatile player who had a brief but impactful NBA career, including a productive season with the Cavaliers. His passing is a reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of honoring the legacies of those who have contributed to the sport.
The details
According to authorities, Paddio was driving west of the city of Rayne, Louisiana when his vehicle left the roadway and struck a culvert. He was ejected from the vehicle and pronounced dead at the scene. Paddio, a native of Lafayette, Louisiana, was a 6'8" forward who was drafted by the Boston Celtics in the third round of the 1988 NBA Draft after playing at UNLV. He spent parts of three seasons in the NBA, including 1990-91 with the Cavaliers, where he started 22 games and averaged 7.2 points and 1.7 rebounds per game.
- The accident occurred on Saturday, April 5, 2026 in Louisiana.
- Paddio played for the Cavaliers during the 1990-91 NBA season.
The players
Gerald Paddio
A former NBA forward who played parts of three seasons in the league, including with the Cleveland Cavaliers in 1990-91, where he was a rotation player. He died in a car accident in Louisiana at the age of 60.
Cleveland Cavaliers
The NBA team that Paddio played for during the 1990-91 season, where he started 22 games and averaged 7.2 points and 1.7 rebounds per game.
What’s next
Authorities are continuing to investigate the cause of the single-vehicle accident that claimed Paddio's life.
The takeaway
Gerald Paddio's tragic passing at the age of 60 is a somber reminder of the fragility of life. Though his NBA career was relatively brief, he made a lasting impact during his time with the Cleveland Cavaliers and will be remembered as a versatile and hardworking player who contributed to the sport he loved.
