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BRANDON SIMS

Brandon with his mother Verlinda in their S.W. suburban home

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'WALKING MIRACLE' BRANDON SIMS APPRECIATES LIFE

By Michael Kosman April 29, 2006

(Chicago, Il.)Brandon Sims (aka Lil’ Dee--patterned after his role model Dee Brown of Illinois) mirrors so many young men trying to make it big in basketball; heart of a lion, soul of a champion, but needing that first big break. Time will tell if that can actually happen, but he is already a winner in life in that he is still alive and well and amongst us.

Sims is a 6’2" 160lb. one or two point guard graduate out of Lockport Township high school, via both Proviso East (where he attended his freshman year and became infatuated with Brown‘s game and style) and Proviso West (where he attended his sophomore and junior years) high schools. What’s matters the most is wherever he learned to hone his basketball skills that he can still adequately execute them. "Last year (2005) I was a passenger with a friend in a car and we think he may have fell asleep," he told us. "We were at Manheim and Irving Park road and I was asleep and than it happened. Next thing I know I was in the hospital." That stay in the hospital would be two weeks for Sims due to the brutal wreck that occurred. The dashboard of his friends car collapsed all around and into him, causing severe injuries to his back, legs, and shoulder. Glass from the windshield impaled into his forehead as well, causing head injuries that still effect him. "I still have some short-term memory loss but I am way better now than what I was like back then," he stated. "Everyone has told me I’m a walking miracle, and I have regained almost all my senses back."

Sims looks healthy and is quite active, both physically and verbally. This would-be future broadcasting analyst has a way with words, and stores a passion deep in his head for the game. He studies it and lives it and even feels some day he can coach it. Right now this 20 year old is deciding among schools in Nebraska, Oklahoma, or Iowa. "I have a high basketball I.Q.," he boldly yet correctly states. Carrying a 3.6 grade point average with him and a willingness to attain further realizations keeps the door open wide for much to occur for him. Sports management may also be one of those attainable goals as well.

A goal already achieved is identifying the individuals who Sims looks too for his role model and for his support. More on role model Dee Brown later but it’s Brandon’s best friend in life that matters the most to him. Truly to him this is a best friend in every sense of the word; It’s the person who is always there no matter what time of day or night to hear you out and help you through. A real friend, a true blue friend---oh by the way that person is his mom! "She my best friend, my ace, my partner, my role-dog for life," he bubbled over saying. "She goes with me everywhere and is my inspiration." Watching the two together it is easy to see the unbreakable bond. Actually mistaking them appearing as a boyfriend-girlfriend look would not be a sin; they are that tight. "We have arguments and they are all out of love," Sims says. "But she’s always on my side and I thank God for a mother like that. When I make it into basketball I’m saving my biggest thank you for her."

In Sims mind also receiving thanks relentlessly would easily be Dee Brown, who will probably be given the second biggest thank you. Sims and Brown attended together Maywood’s Proviso East high school in the 2001-2002 school year. Sims, who actually resemble Brown facially somewhat, not only dug deep into the way the Illini star handles himself on the floor, but also has the foresight to admire the way he handles himself off of it as well. "When you bring up Dee all you get is positive things," he glowingly said. "Every time you watch him he is always humble and funny." Sims is so enamored with Brown that he even composed an open letter about it earlier this year to one of the colleges he seeks entrance in.[Read the Letter]. Sims, who compared Browns leadership skills and tenacity with Allen Iverson’s, will most likely remain a big fan for life with the charismatic and talented future NBA point guard.

This spring and summer will be the opportunity for Sims to step up his game, which is modeled a bit like Lakers guard Smush Parker. Sims is at 100 percent physically and possesses quick darting moves and a good long range shooting touch. Like Dee Brown, Sims takes playing defense very seriously and is quick back down the court and always in his man’s face. He looks, as a unselfish guard, to create opportunities for his teammates first but also scores well with put-backs and lay-ups. "When the time is needed for me to score I do what I have to do," he said. "But defense wins games."

But there’s more to life than basketball, as a full time job now figures into the picture as well as friends, girlfriends, family demands, and school decisions . That’s something all young basketball players his age contend with, but for Sims it’s not quite the same. He survived a fateful night and fought back with a forceful and concentrated might to regain his life back. He chose a pretty good role model to emulate. Oh and his choice for his best friend--that can’t be beat.


	WEB SPORTS CHICAGO \| home BRANDON SIMS Brandon with his mother Verlinda in their S.W. suburban home MORE PHOTOS 'WALKING MIRACLE' BRANDON SIMS APPRECIATES LIFE By Michael Kosman April 29, 2006 (Chicago, Il.)Brandon Sims (aka Lil’ Dee--patterned after his role model Dee Brown of Illinois) mirrors so many young men trying to make it big in basketball; heart of a lion, soul of a champion, but needing that first big break. Time will tell if that can actually happen, but he is already a winner in life in that he is still alive and well and amongst us. Sims is a 6’2" 160lb. one or two point guard graduate out of Lockport Township high school, via both Proviso East (where he attended his freshman year and became infatuated with Brown‘s game and style) and Proviso West (where he attended his sophomore and junior years) high schools. What’s matters the most is wherever he learned to hone his basketball skills that he can still adequately execute them. "Last year (2005) I was a passenger with a friend in a car and we think he may have fell asleep," he told us. "We were at Manheim and Irving Park road and I was asleep and than it happened. Next thing I know I was in the hospital." That stay in the hospital would be two weeks for Sims due to the brutal wreck that occurred. The dashboard of his friends car collapsed all around and into him, causing severe injuries to his back, legs, and shoulder. Glass from the windshield impaled into his forehead as well, causing head injuries that still effect him. "I still have some short-term memory loss but I am way better now than what I was like back then," he stated. "Everyone has told me I’m a walking miracle, and I have regained almost all my senses back." Sims looks healthy and is quite active, both physically and verbally. This would-be future broadcasting analyst has a way with words, and stores a passion deep in his head for the game. He studies it and lives it and even feels some day he can coach it. Right now this 20 year old is deciding among schools in Nebraska, Oklahoma, or Iowa. "I have a high basketball I.Q.," he boldly yet correctly states. Carrying a 3.6 grade point average with him and a willingness to attain further realizations keeps the door open wide for much to occur for him. Sports management may also be one of those attainable goals as well. A goal already achieved is identifying the individuals who Sims looks too for his role model and for his support. More on role model Dee Brown later but it’s Brandon’s best friend in life that matters the most to him. Truly to him this is a best friend in every sense of the word; It’s the person who is always there no matter what time of day or night to hear you out and help you through. A real friend, a true blue friend---oh by the way that person is his mom! "She my best friend, my ace, my partner, my role-dog for life," he bubbled over saying. "She goes with me everywhere and is my inspiration." Watching the two together it is easy to see the unbreakable bond. Actually mistaking them appearing as a boyfriend-girlfriend look would not be a sin; they are that tight. "We have arguments and they are all out of love," Sims says. "But she’s always on my side and I thank God for a mother like that. When I make it into basketball I’m saving my biggest thank you for her." In Sims mind also receiving thanks relentlessly would easily be Dee Brown, who will probably be given the second biggest thank you. Sims and Brown attended together Maywood’s Proviso East high school in the 2001-2002 school year. Sims, who actually resemble Brown facially somewhat, not only dug deep into the way the Illini star handles himself on the floor, but also has the foresight to admire the way he handles himself off of it as well. "When you bring up Dee all you get is positive things," he glowingly said. "Every time you watch him he is always humble and funny." Sims is so enamored with Brown that he even composed an open letter about it earlier this year to one of the colleges he seeks entrance in.[Read the Letter]. Sims, who compared Browns leadership skills and tenacity with Allen Iverson’s, will most likely remain a big fan for life with the charismatic and talented future NBA point guard. This spring and summer will be the opportunity for Sims to step up his game, which is modeled a bit like Lakers guard Smush Parker. Sims is at 100 percent physically and possesses quick darting moves and a good long range shooting touch. Like Dee Brown, Sims takes playing defense very seriously and is quick back down the court and always in his man’s face. He looks, as a unselfish guard, to create opportunities for his teammates first but also scores well with put-backs and lay-ups. "When the time is needed for me to score I do what I have to do," he said. "But defense wins games." But there’s more to life than basketball, as a full time job now figures into the picture as well as friends, girlfriends, family demands, and school decisions . That’s something all young basketball players his age contend with, but for Sims it’s not quite the same. He survived a fateful night and fought back with a forceful and concentrated might to regain his life back. He chose a pretty good role model to emulate. Oh and his choice for his best friend--that can’t be beat.