Odyssey Sims Leaves Her Home Indefinitely After Her 5-Year-Old Son Jaiden Has a Tragic Accident Following the untimely death of her 5-year-old son, Jaiden, veteran guard Odyssey Sims is taking an immediate leave of absence, the Indiana Fever community learned on Saturday. The WNBA community is in shock and grief following the incident, which happened Friday afternoon in the Dallas–Fort Worth area.
Sources close to the family claim that during the off-season, Jaiden was hit by a car close to the neighborhood where Sims and her son reside. Shortly after reaching a nearby hospital, he was declared dead despite quick emergency response and attempts to save him. In April, he celebrated his fifth birthday, a milestone his mother had earlier in the year proudly shared with teammates, friends, and supporters.
Early on Saturday morning, the Fever issued a succinct but intensely emotional statement. “Odyssey and her family have devastated our entire organization. At our games this season, Jaiden was a familiar, happy face who brightened every space. During this unthinkable time, we kindly ask that everyone respect their privacy.
The league as a whole shares this sentiment. Fans, coaches, and players from all over the WNBA quickly started posting condolences, prayers, and memories of Sims and her son together at games during the previous season on social media. Because he was constantly grinning courtside, giving players high fives, or jumping into his mother’s arms following a victory, Jaiden had taken on the role of a team little brother to many Fever supporters.
The 33-year-old Sims has frequently and candidly discussed the significance of motherhood in her life. She has never held back when referring to Jaiden as her “why,” the motivation behind her recent comebacks, injuries, and the arduous process of vying for roster spots. After spending a large portion of the 2025 season on consecutive hardship contracts with the Fever, the former Baylor standout and 2014 first-round pick eventually established herself as a vital rotational player. Her dependable experience served as a guide for Indiana during its memorable postseason run and late-season surge.
Those moments became some of the most treasured photos of the Fever’s season, especially the postgame moments where Sims lifted Jaiden into the air or posed with him on the court. More than just heartwarming photos, they served as a reminder of why athletes endure the stress, noise, and unpredictability of professional sports. They also revealed a more vulnerable and intimate side of a player who has made a living on perseverance and grit.
The league now adopts a support role that goes beyond basketball. Sims’ return is not scheduled, and it shouldn’t be. Sims is navigating a loss that no parent is ready to deal with, and the WNBA and the players’ union have stepped in to offer complete emotional and practical support. Her well-being is the top priority, according to both organizations, and teammates have privately promised to provide her with the space and support she requires.
Out of consideration for the family, the incident’s specifics are kept confidential, but it is evident how deeply the tragedy has affected people outside of Indiana. The Fever will still play, but in the upcoming weeks, the team and the league will be dealing with a lot of emotional baggage.
For the time being, Sims is receiving support from coaches, players, and fans in the only way possible: love, compassion, and a sobering reminder that she and Jaiden impacted far more lives than they could ever imagine.
