UNCW’s Siddle talks 2024-25 season, extension & Jaylen Sims

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) – “Historic” is the word UNCW men’s basketball coach Takayo Siddle used to describe this most reason season.

Addressing local reporters for the first time since the year ended, Siddle expressed how grateful he was to the entire community for helping the program reach the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2017.

That effort landed Siddle a contract extension through the year 2030, and is blessed how the university invested in him after five solid years at the helm. He also feels good knowing that Wilmington will be his home long term.

“This has always been a dream job for me,” Siddle said. “I wanted to play here. I wasn’t very good, so I had to go elsewhere. But this is a spot that I’ve always wanted to be and they made a commitment to me. They got some things done that we were looking for. It was a no brainer to sign that dotted line and continue to do what we’ve been doing.”

UNCW won the CAA title to earn an automatic berth in the tournament, but lost in the opening round to Texas Tech.

However, Siddle says it is only the start and feels the entire community is better when the basketball team is in a good place.

“I think it was great for our city, great for our university,” Siddle said. “Our coaching staff’s happy. Everybody around here’s happy. I thought it was a really great year to say the least. This team deserved it probably more than any other team that I’ve coached. It was a fun year. I think from an individual standpoint, our guys got rewarded. We’ll have several guys playing pro.”

One former Seahawks is already there, however.

Jaylen Sims signed a 10-day contract with the Hornets on Thursday. This after a strong year with their G-League affiliate, the Greensboro Swarm.

The Charlotte native played for UNCW from 2018-22 and is Siddle’s first player to make the NBA.

Siddle says he’s communicated with Sims since and wishes him the best.

“I told him last night, we always talk about these windows of opportunity that you have” Siddle said. “They don’t come up often. He’s been able to carve out a couple for himself. I told him, ‘bust straight through it and take ownership in it, extend your time there and make an impact on them.’ Which he already has. Make an impact on them and I think he’ll stick, for sure.”

If Sims takes the court for the Hornets, he will become just the fourth UNCW player to appear in an NBA game.