UNLV Final Four Player Gerald Paddio Killed In Crash

Paddio, a standout on UNLV's 1987 Final Four team, died in a single-vehicle accident in Louisiana.

Apr. 5, 2026 at 6:39pm

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Gerald Paddio, a member of UNLV's 1987 Final Four team and former NBA player, died in a single-vehicle crash in Acadia Parish, Louisiana. He was 60 years old. Law enforcement officials said Paddio was pronounced dead at the scene after being ejected from the vehicle.

Why it matters

Paddio was a beloved figure in UNLV basketball history, helping lead the Runnin' Rebels to the 1987 Final Four. His sudden passing at a relatively young age has saddened the UNLV community and basketball fans who remember his clutch plays and versatile game.

The details

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. 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.

  • The crash occurred on Saturday.
  • Paddio was pronounced dead at the scene.

The players

Gerald Paddio

A standout on UNLV's 1987 Final Four team who later played three seasons in the NBA and had a lengthy professional career overseas.

Acadia Parish Sheriff's Office

The law enforcement agency investigating the single-vehicle crash that killed Paddio.

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What they’re saying

“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.”

— Las Vegas Review-Journal

“Teammates and fans still single out his late-game plays as defining moments from that high-flying era.”

— Las Vegas Review-Journal

“Coaches and former teammates remembered him as a versatile wing who could score in transition and hold his own on defense.”

— Newsweek

What’s next

The Acadia Parish Sheriff's Office is continuing its investigation into the crash, and Paddio's family has been notified. Authorities have not released any additional details.

The takeaway

Paddio's sudden passing has left the UNLV community and basketball fans mourning the loss of a beloved figure who helped define an iconic era of Runnin' Rebels basketball. His clutch plays and versatile game cemented his place in UNLV lore, and his tragic death at just 60 years old is a somber reminder of the fragility of life.