Why NC State men's basketball coach Will Wade’s rubber wristbands serve as his daily reminders

By Noah Fleischman

For as long as Will Wade can remember, he’s worn at least one rubber wristband on his right arm as a college basketball head coach. The bracelets have changed over the years, starting with a 30-year-old version of him as a first-year coach at Chattanooga to his two-season stint at VCU and his time on the Bayou at both LSU and McNeese, but the point of them has remained the same. 

Wade, a coach that’s intentional about everything he does, has a purpose for each thing in his program. From how his teams practice to his analytical mind with countless spreadsheets on his computer, Wade has a reason for it all. 

The wristbands, albeit a small detail within his basketball wardrobe that consists of plenty of logoed quarter zips, polos and sweatshirts, play a critical role in keeping Wade grounded. As he prepares to embark on his first season at NC State, looking to revitalize a program that went 12-19 (5-15 ACC) in its final season under Kevin Keatts a year ago, Wade dons a trio of items on his right wrist — all there to remind him of something different. 

There’s a thin pink one with the word “breathe” on it, a straightforward way to prompt him to calm down in the heat of battle on the court, leading to several breathing exercises if needed. Underneath it is a black one from NBA consultant Phil Beckner with the white text of “Be Better.” 

It’s another simple, yet powerful phrase that Wade has carried with him through his career that, in the coach’s words, is “just a reminder that if we want to be the best, obviously we have good talent, but we’ve got to look at things differently and do things differently.”

The most prominent wristband Wade carries with him is about double the size in thickness, a purple rubber band about an inch tall with “#Forever44” adorning the side in gold writing. It’s not there for motivation like the other two. No. It’s a memorial for former LSU forward Wayde Sims, who was murdered the day before the Tigers’ 2018 preseason practices began ahead of Wade’s second season in Baton Rouge. 

It’s a story that nearly brings tears to Wade’s eyes after seven years, which have featured him being fired at LSU due to recruiting violations and a pair of Southland Conference titles at McNeese. He has worn it ever since that September 2018 tragedy, a mnemonic device that keeps Sims at the top of Wade’s mind every day. 

“The worst day of my coaching career,” Wade said, recalling that night when Sims was shot and killed protecting a friend in a fight after attending a concert. “Everybody always says, ‘Coach, it must have sucked to get fired.’ No. It sucks to watch a kid you care about carried into the morgue out of the hospital at 3:45 in the morning with a bag over him. That’s no fun.”

Sims’ story remains strong with Wade. The coach felt like the forward was “turning a corner and changed his life” under his tutelage. He had followed in his father’s footsteps of wearing the No. 44 at LSU. HIs dad played alongside Shaquille O’Neal years before. 

But it all changed in the blink of an eye.

“I was really, really proud of him,” Wade said of Sims, who still finds ways to signal to his former coach that he’s watching almost every game he is a part of. “Sometimes you look up at the clock and it’s 1:44 or 44 seconds left, and you just have a peace about you. Like, ‘Man, we’re going to figure this thing out.’”

Wade, who paused a couple times to collect himself while speakimg about Sims and the wristband he has carried with him ever since, will never forget the 6-foot-6 frontcourt standout. The shooting death seemed to flip a switch in Wade’s mind moving forward, taking every moment he could to share his affection for his players. 

The 42-year-old coach is tough on his team in practice, but is always there shortly after to pick each of them up afterwards. Each wristband on his right arm helps with that in its own way, but Sims’ purple bracelet appears to be the most powerful. 

It serves as a tribute to a player that was taken too soon — and a reminder to Wade to never take any moment with his team, on or off the court, for granted.

“It’s just a subtle reminder of how quickly things can change,” Wade said. “Love your players, pour into your players. … It just reminds me to love my guys every day. Make sure you do. You never know when the last time you’ll see them is.”

No matter what is going on in Wade’s day, he always has a constant sign to breathe, look for different ways to be the best version of himself and to love his players. The bracelets have carried him for much of his coaching career, and it’s no different this season at NC State. All he has to do is look down at his right wrist.