Gerald Paddio, a former standout forward for the UNLV Runnin’ Rebels and a brief NBA journeyman who also played with the New York Knicks, passed away on April 4 at the age of 60. His death came after a single-vehicle accident on a two-lane road near Rayne, Louisiana. Authorities, including Acadia Parish Sheriff K.P. Gibson, discovered him at the scene, according to various news outlets covering the incident.
Throughout his professional basketball journey, Paddio suited up for five different NBA franchises across three seasons. He appeared with the Cleveland Cavaliers during the 1990-91 campaign, followed by stints with the Seattle SuperSonics in 1992-93, and later the Indiana Pacers, New York Knicks, and Washington Bullets all in the 1993-94 season.
In his NBA career, spanning 129 regular-season games, Paddio contributed an average of 5.5 points while logging 12.6 minutes per contest. He also featured in nine playoff games for the SuperSonics in 1993, where he provided limited but valuable minutes off the bench, averaging 3.3 minutes per appearance.
Before reaching the professional ranks, Paddio built a strong foundation at the collegiate level. The small forward began his journey at Kilgore College and Seminole State, eventually transferring to the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. There, he played a key role in head coach Jerry Tarkanian’s powerful squads.
During his time with the 37-2 UNLV team in the 1986-87 season, Paddio delivered impressive numbers, posting 13.1 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 2.0 assists across 39 games while earning 37 starting assignments. Standing at 6-foot-7, he used his size effectively as a shooter to exploit mismatches against smaller opponents.
One of his most memorable performances came in the 1987 NCAA Tournament Elite Eight matchup against Iowa. Paddio drilled four three-pointers in the second half, fueling a decisive 24-2 scoring surge that overcame a 16-point halftime deficit and secured an 84-81 triumph for the Rebels, helping propel them to the Final Four.
The Boston Celtics originally selected Paddio in the third round of the 1988 NBA Draft, picking him 74th overall. However, it took persistence for him to reach the league, as he spent time developing in the Continental Basketball Association and playing in Europe before debuting with the Cavaliers in 1990.
Beyond the NBA, Paddio enjoyed an extensive international career. He competed for two seasons in Spain, one each in Italy and France, and represented Maccabi Tel Aviv during the 1995 FIBA Korac Cup. Additional stops in his globetrotting journey included Argentina, Japan, Lebanon, and Mexico.
A native of Lafayette, Louisiana, Paddio’s roots remained tied to his home state, where his life ultimately came to a close. His career reflected dedication to the sport, from leading UNLV to national prominence to carving out professional opportunities across continents.
