Background
Sims grew up in New York, New York, predominantly raised by his grandmother who was a convert to Judaism following her marriage to Sims" grandfather, Jack Miller.
Sims grew up in New York, New York, predominantly raised by his grandmother who was a convert to Judaism following her marriage to Sims" grandfather, Jack Miller.
Long Island City High School.
He played high school basketball at Long Island City High School and college basketball at Louisiana State University from 1977 until 1981. Willie Sims, an African-American Jew, played basketball in Israel for Maccabi Haifa British Columbia from 1981 to 1983. From 1985 until 1987 he played for Elitzur Netanya.
He was with Hapoel Eilat British Columbia from 1992 until 1996.
Sims was drafted in 1981 by the National Basketball Association"s Denver Nuggets in the fifth round of that year"s National Basketball Association draft, but he never played in the National Basketball Association or in any other league in North America. Sims then retired from active basketball.
He became a coach. He came back as an active player for Maccabi Hadera of the Liga Leumit during the 1998-1999 season, but retired for good after that season.
Sims took part in the 10th Maccabiah Games in 1977 as part of the United States national basketball team He scored the winning shot against Israel in the finals and helped the United States to the title.
He also played in the 11th Maccabiah Games, again representing the United States.