Las Vegas, NV – The UNLV Runnin’ Rebels family is mourning the loss of one of its most clutch performers from the glory days under Coach Jerry Tarkanian. Gerald Paddio, a sharp-shooting forward who helped propel the Rebels to the 1987 NCAA Final Four, passed away at age 60 on Saturday, April 4, 2026, following a single-vehicle accident in his native Louisiana.
A Louisiana native who transferred to UNLV after starring at the junior college level, Paddio became an integral part of one of the most exciting teams in college basketball history. During the 1986-87 and 1987-88 seasons, the Rebels posted a dominant 65-8 record. Paddio’s outside touch and competitive fire complemented the inside dominance of stars like Armon Gilliam and the up-tempo style that defined Tarkanian’s squads.
One of his most unforgettable moments came in 1986 at Madison Square Garden, when he drained a buzzer-beating three-pointer to defeat Temple — a shot still celebrated as one of the greatest in UNLV history. In the 1987 NCAA Tournament, Paddio sparked a decisive 24-2 second-half run against Iowa in the Elite Eight with four three-pointers, finishing with 20 points and helping send the Rebels to the Final Four in New Orleans.
As a junior in 1986-87, he averaged 13.1 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game. In his senior season, Paddio elevated his scoring to 19.4 points per game while leading the team in buckets and earning Second-Team All-PCAA honors. Over his two years in Las Vegas, he scored 1,171 career points, ranking among the program’s all-time leaders, and knocked down 118 three-pointers in 1987-88 alone — second in school single-season history.
Selected by the Boston Celtics in the third round of the 1988 NBA Draft, Paddio went on to play three NBA seasons with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Seattle SuperSonics, Indiana Pacers, and New York Knicks. His best professional year came in 1990-91 with Cleveland, where he appeared in 70 games and averaged 7.2 points per game off the bench. He later enjoyed a lengthy 16-year overseas career before eventually returning to Las Vegas and later resettling in Louisiana.
Tributes have poured in from the UNLV community and fans across social media, remembering Paddio not only for his smooth stroke and big-game performances but for his quiet leadership and fierce competitiveness on the court. The Rebels family described him as a beloved brother whose impact extended far beyond the scoreboard. He is survived by his wife Davina, children Rachael, Sarah, and Tim, grandchildren, siblings, and an extended network of friends and former teammates who considered him part of their forever family.
In an era when UNLV put Las Vegas and Nevada on the national sports map with swagger, heart, and unapologetic excellence, Gerald Paddio embodied the best of that Runnin’ Rebels spirit — a proud son of Louisiana who brought pride to Southern Nevada and left a legacy of hustle, faith in teamwork, and unforgettable moments that still inspire young athletes today.
America may face challenges, but stories like Paddio’s remind us why we cherish the values of hard work, perseverance, and community that built this great nation. Rest in peace, Gerald. You will be missed by Rebels everywhere.
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