Aamir Simms

Aamir Earl Simms (born February 17, 1999) is an American college basketball player for the Clemson Tigers of the Atlantic Coast Conference.

Aamir Simms
Simms in March 2020
No. 25 – Clemson Tigers
PositionPower forward
LeagueAtlantic Coast Conference
Personal information
Born (1999-02-17) February 17, 1999
NationalityAmerican
Listed height6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)
Listed weight240 lb (109 kg)
Career information
High school
CollegeClemson (2017–present)
Career highlights and awards
Medals
Men’s basketball
Representing  United States
Summer Universiade
2019 Italy Team competition

Early life and high school career

Simms spent his early childhood in East Orange, New Jersey but moved to Palmyra, Virginia in 2008 after his mother, Lateasha Jones, decided East Orange was too dangerous. Simms spent hours on the basketball court near the family's home, often playing deep into the night.[1] Simms scored 377 points as a freshman at Fluvanna County High School.[2] At an AAU Tournament, Simms' performance drew the attention of Cade Lemcke, coach at the Blue Ridge School, and Simms decided to attend the school after getting a scholarship.[1] He helped the team win a state championship as a sophomore.[2] As a senior at Blue Ridge, Simms averaged 13.0 points and 9.4 rebounds per game.[3] He helped the team win a second state title, contributing 16 points and 10 rebounds in the championship game against Miller. Simms was named the Central Virginia Player of the Year.[2] He committed to playing college basketball at Clemson over offers from more than a dozen schools.[1]

College career

Simms averaged 4.0 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 0.9 blocks per game as a freshman.[4] He helped Clemson reach the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament before losing to Kansas 80-76.[5] As a sophomore, Simms averaged 8.1 points and 4.6 rebounds per game.[6] On November 5, 2019, Simms had his first double-double with 12 points and 15 rebounds in a 67-60 loss to Virginia Tech.[7] He was named ACC Co-Player of the Week (alongside Tre Jones) on January 13, 2020, after leading Clemson in points (20), rebounds (8), assists (6), blocks (4) and steals (3) in Clemson's first-ever win at North Carolina, and hit a three-pointer with 3.5 seconds left in regulation to send the game to overtime.[8] On January 14, Simms scored a career-high 25 points to go along with nine rebounds in a 79-72 win over third-ranked Duke.[9] As a junior, Simms averaged 13.0 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game, earning Third-Team All-ACC honors. Following the season he declared for the 2020 NBA draft.[10] Simms withdrew from the draft on June 1, returning for his senior season.[11]

National team career

Simms was a part of the Clemson team chosen to represent the United States in the 2019 Summer Universiade in Italy. The U.S. received a gold medal after defeating Ukraine in the title game behind 12 points from Simms.[12] Simms played in all six games and led the team in scoring and rebounding with 15.2 points and 9.8 rebounds per game.[13]

References
  1. Needelman, Joshua (February 15, 2019). "Clemson basketball star sees himself in young fan from same hometown in rural Virginia". Charleston Post and Courier. Retrieved May 1, 2020.
  2. Counts, Ron (April 1, 2017). "Central Virginia boys basketball player of the year: Blue Ridge's Aamir Simms". The Daily Progress. Retrieved May 1, 2020.
  3. Gordon, Mark (November 6, 2017). "2017-18 Clemson Basketball Season Preview: Frontcourt Analysis". Shakin the Southland. SB Nation. Retrieved May 1, 2020.
  4. Crumpton, Tony (June 21, 2018). "WATCH: Clemson forward makes incredible full-court shot". TigerNet.com. Retrieved May 1, 2020.
  5. Raynor, Grace (March 23, 2018). "Clemson basketball hangs with Kansas, falls 80-76 in Sweet 16 to end historic season". Charleston Post and Courier. Retrieved May 1, 2020.
  6. "Simms set for big season at Clemson". CBS 19 News. October 20, 2019. Retrieved May 1, 2020.
  7. "Horne, Nolley lead Virginia Tech to 67-60 win at Clemson". ESPN. Associated Press. November 5, 2019. Retrieved May 1, 2020.
  8. "Jones, Simms, Nolley Earn ACC Men's Basketball Weekly Honors". Atlantic Coast Conference. January 13, 2020. Retrieved May 1, 2020.
  9. "Clemson gets rare ACC double in 79-72 win over No. 3 Duke". ESPN. Associated Press. January 14, 2020. Retrieved May 1, 2020.
  10. Shiers, Mike (March 31, 2020). "Former Blue Ridge star Aamir Simms enters NBA Draft". NBC29. Retrieved May 1, 2020.
  11. "Clemson leading scorer Aamir Simms returning for senior year". ESPN. Associated Press. June 1, 2020. Retrieved June 2, 2020.
  12. "Clemson basketball takes home the gold for the United States at the World University Games". NCAA.com. July 12, 2019. Retrieved May 1, 2020.
  13. Hood, Nikki (July 14, 2019). "Clemson's Simms proud to wear the USA flag after gold medal win". TigerNet.com. Retrieved May 1, 2020.
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