Arizona Wildcat Basketball Class of 2015: Meet Justin “The Mayor” Simon

Arizona Wildcat Basketball Class of 2015: Ladies and Gentleman, Introducing Arizona commit Justin “The Mayor” Simon

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Ranked No. 37 in

ESPN’s top 100

basketball recruits and No. 2 on the 2015 ESPN Top 100 California Recruits, Justin was offered by 18 schools including six other Pac-12 teams: UCLA, USC, Washington, ASU, Cal, and Colorado. He chose to commit to the University of Arizona Class of 2015 in May 2014.

Justin Simon is a point guard who stands 6 foot 5 inches, weighs 185, and has a 6-foot-11 wingspan. Simon hails from
 Temecula, Calif. where he attended high school through his junior year. In 2014, he transferred across the country to Brewster Academy coached by Jason Smith (15 seasons as head coach) to get more experience in preparation for joining his new collegiate team this summer in Arizona.

Brewster Academy is a co-educational independent boarding school on 80 acres in Wolfeboro, New Hampshire. The boys’ varsity basketball team won the 2014, 2012 and 2010 National Prep School Championship, as well as the NEPSAC Class AAA Championship in 2014, 2013, 2010, and 2008. NCAA Division I programs have recruited 100 alumni from Brewster Academy in the last 14 years. Simon seems to have made an excellent decision:

Per Phil Murphy of ESPN Recruiting Nation, Justin is a big part of the class along with Alonzo Trier, Ray Smith and Chance Comanche. He adds to an already loaded Arizona roster. This class will keep Arizona competing and the next closest class in the Pac-12 is Oregon. Tyler Dorsey de-committed from the Wildcats in June and opted to join the Ducks in Oregon according to ESPN’s Adam Finkelstein.

Paul Biancardi, ESPN National Director Basketball, spoke on ESPN U about incoming 2015 classes across the nation. When asked which team has the best incoming class, this is what he said:

“Arizona, this class sits at his number two in our rankings with 4 top 100 prospects. Justin Simon is a big time athlete, he brings size and he can defend point guard positions, in watching him all of last year Justin Simon is a big time winner.”

A post from Justin Simon himself on Instagram gives you some insight into what his thoughts were upon signing his letter of intent:

"@simon_says_so Ever since I was in 7th grade I’ve been dreaming of this moment and I’m Feeling so blessed right now after signing my LOI. its an honor to have an opportunity to play for Coach Miller & the Arizona Wildcats. /A\ #beardown"

Excerpt from Biancardi’s article “Biancardi’s Breakdown: Five best passers in ESPN 100” on Justin Simon:

"Willingness to give up the ball is a trait that most players don’t have, but Simon exudes unselfishness. He is not a shot-happy point guard and will give up the ball quickly in the conversion game or in the half court. A master at keeping the ball moving, he will sometimes get the assist before the assist (hockey assist) because of his mindset to move and swing the ball so the defense can’t lock in."

Matt Schick of ESPN asked Sean Miller what has been his recruiting formula:

“First of all, Tucson and the University of Arizona is not a hard place to sell. We are blessed with an amazing tradition. Great, great things happened here a long time ago with Lute Olsen and the great teams and players in the past. And in terms of the love affair between Tucson as a community and our basketball program, that’s existed for a long time.”

“Amazing 2015 class coming in. Looking forward to learning a lot and having a great year! S/O ZonaZoo BEARDOWN!” – Justin Simon

Watching film and conversing with Justin, you can tell this young man has his head on straight, has a ton of raw talent, loves to dunk and drive the basket, and is really fast. He reminds me of Aaron Gordon the way he gets so much air and slams down his dunks.  Do we dare say he could win a future NBA dunk contest?  Yes, I said it!

I asked Justin if he had a message to Wildcat fans, and here his message to you:

“Amazing 2015 class coming in. Looking forward to learning a lot and having a great year! S/O ZonaZoo BEARDOWN!”

Welcome to the University of Arizona Justin “The Mayor” Simon!

Wildcat fans, here is what you have to look forward to next year (look out for a 360 Dunk):

AND….

If you would like to hear Justin in his own words talk about the next season, you can right here via Bleacher Report.