Wayne Simien, who moved into a new house in Lawrence last spring with wife Katherine, and daughter Selah, has packed up the family’s belongings.
Today all three are headed to Spain.
“It’s a big adventure,” said former Kansas University basketball power forward Simien, who is about to resurrect his pro career with a team in the Española de Baloncesto League based in Caceres.
The 6-foot-9, 250-pounder, who played for the Miami Heat for two seasons, sat out last year while rehabbing from knee surgery. He had an offer to attend Atlanta Hawks NBA training camp, but the offer was rescinded just a few weeks ago.
Without a solid offer from another team, Simien, 25, decided Europe was the place to be.
“I’m not looking at this as a steppingstone or anything, just an opportunity to play,” said Simien, who said he’s 100 percent healthy. He’s also in good shape after going through KU basketball Boot Camp conditioning with the current Jayhawk players.
“My focus in going over there is helping make the team better, compete for the championship. If people see I’m healthy and the opportunity comes to get back in the league, that’s great.
“But that’s not what I’m thinking about. I could see that as a distraction. I’m going to play, just like I did in college. I didn’t see that as a steppingstone to get to the NBA. It was a four-year commitment I made to help the school and team. Same mentality over there. I signed for one season. I’m going to honor the contract and play as hard as I can.”
Simien will keep his house in Lawrence. His new abode in Spain will be rent free.
Culture shock will be at a minimum. Simien’s wife, who is expecting the couple’s second daughter in late December, used to live in Spain.
“Her dad was in the Navy. She was there through junior high,” Simien said. “She has an idea of what it’s like over there.”
Simien has heard good things from former KU teammate Aaron Miles, who currently plays in Greece after competing for Spanish team Cajasol Sevilla a season.
“He said they love basketball all over Europe,” Simien said. “He told me to come and do what I do, play like I have in college and the NBA.”
Simien and his family members won’t be back in the U.S. until next May.
“Getting to see the world is exciting (but) I wouldn’t say I had the itch to travel,” he said, noting he’s been to the Philippines, Israel and Central America. “I’ve never been opposed to going overseas and playing ball. Having my family over there will make it great.”
“Great” is a word Simien uses to describe the potential of the 2008-09 Jayhawks. He’s been impressed with KU’s players not only at Boot Camp, which concluded Friday, but also in pick-up basketball action.
“Obviously they are young,” Simien said of a team that lost all five starters. “The talent is there. Starting the season, guys like Sherron (Collins) and Cole (Aldrich) the two main guys have to be anchors of the team. If they can stay healthy and listen to coach Self and the staff, they’ll be on their way to another great season.”
KU junior Mario Little, who has been impressed with the power forward’s play in pick-up games this semester, predicted big things for Simien.
“You can tell he’s a pro, the way he approaches the game. He has good quality moves. I guarantee (when he shoots it) it’s going in. When he steps on the court, he pretty much dominates the gym every time,” Little said.