DeShawn Sims

Classroom

Sims is a general studies major at the University of Michigan and is on course to graduate in May 2010.  In addition to a possible professional basketball career, Sims hopes to be able to start his own clothing line.

Character

Sims has been considered the perfect teammate ever since he arrived at the University of Michigan.  He has been a bright light during the long practices or heavy losses.  After tragically losing his brother, who was shot in Detroit during his freshman year, Sims managed to play in 33 games and still be a force in a rebuilding year for the Wolverines.  Coming in as a highly touted recruit and suffering a major loss, Sims remained the same person he was before the tragedy.  It was Sims’ way to cope with the loss of a family member and a way to keep laughing and smiling.  Sims stepped up and showed a strong sense of leadership during a coaching change his sophomore year.  He accepted the change and welcomed the coach with open arms.  His leadership ability helped the new faces mesh and created a level of comfort throughout the entire team.  Sims unfortunately suffered another tragic family loss with the death of a cousin, but, with eyes on the Michigan program because of recent success, Sims has not let the tragedy impede with his leadership of the team.

Community

Sims is a very active leader in community efforts at the University of Michigan.  After each game, Sims is a huge hit with the Mott’s Children Hospital patients that come to Crisler Arena looking for a moment to meet their heroes.  He always takes the time to talk, visit, pose for pictures and sign materials for every kid.  The “You Meet the Athlete” campaign has also been a source of great pleasure for Sims.  Sims’ playful nature draws kids and it makes teaching kids the basics of basketball a treat.  His personality makes Sims a big hit at John Beilein basketball camps as well.

Competition

Sims was a 2008-09 All-Big Ten second-team selection by the media and a third-team selection by the coaches.  He was a 2007-08 All-Big Ten honorable mention by both the coaches and the media.  Also, Sims has been named Big Ten Player of the week twice (December 29, 2008 and November 11, 2007).  Sims has played in 100 career games during his first three years at Michigan and was a starter in 60 of those games.  Thirty-four of the 60 games started were Big Ten contests.  He is 39th all-time at Michigan with 1,048 career points scored and has 56 career double-figure scoring efforts.  Also, Sims has 10 career games scoring 20 or more points.  Sims has 486 career rebounds, 66 career assists, 61 career blocks, 79 career steals and averages 22.9 minutes per game through his first three seasons.  He has six career double-doubles and notched the first 20/20 effort in 31 years at Michigan on December 22, 2008, against Florida Gulf Coast when he scored 20 points and grabbed 20 rebounds.