On Thursday, March 30th, Arizona will probably lose at least three Arizona Wildcats who will either graduate or declare publicly for the NBA Draft. Kobi Simmons is one of those players.
Senior Kadeem Allen is a given. Allen will be graduating, not be playing for the Arizona Wildcats next season. It was announced today that there is a press conference scheduled tomorrow and Lauri Markkanen would most probably be declaring for the NBA draft, not testing the waters, he’s a one-and-done.
But that was expected. There is also speculation that Kobi Simmons will jump in the same boat with his freshman teammate. Today, April 5th, Simmons jumped in the NBA Draft pool and is said to hire an agent.
If Simmons goes he will probably not be testing the waters, we think he would be declaring. We might see another one to two Wildcats Testing the NBA waters which make it a little harder for recruits to decide whether or not they want to commit to Arizona.
Possible reasons for Simmons to leave school: Kobi has been seen slotted in mock drafts in the second round, or maybe he doesn’t enjoy school, or maybe he doesn’t want to stick around to find out that he won’t start next season. We’ll never know the entire truth, but it doesn’t matter. He decided to go the distance and take his chances.
He has to do what makes sense for him, and there are legitimate reasons why the NBA has shown interest.
Simmons was a McDonald All-American, and he showed flashes of brilliance and potential during the season, wow-ing fans with ridiculous dunks and composure under pressure. He contributed to a major amount of wins in the 32 games he played in (19 starts) and never seemed to break composure, always ready to jump in and help the team.
https://twitter.com/JordanKobi/status/849805603182661632
What blew most of us away was his ability to jump extremely high.
https://twitter.com/Pac12Network/status/826596454730911744
Kobi’s Aaron Gordon type dunk made it to No. 2 in the SportCenter Top Ten, so you can see why NBA scouts are paying attention, they are looking for potential.
rkelapire: Kobi Simmons #2 play ESPN SportsCenter https://t.co/OlgYMjxwP4 pic.twitter.com/1GWR8Kkc4R
— FanSportsClips (@FanSportsClips) January 30, 2017
Hang time is another key to his potential…he can leap and hang out in the air, and he can jump extremely high.
https://twitter.com/PlayersDirect/status/782790888325996544
NBA scouts look at potential, and teams will probably draft him and may develop him in the D-League for a while, bringing him up from time to time to see how far he has developed. TH
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One bright spot is that the D-League will be the G-League next year. Gatorade is sponsoring the League, and the extra money will attract the best players who are playing abroad. There will be more competition to make the D-League rosters, and the NBA is aiming for all of their teams to affiliate with a development league team. The goal is to feed NBA teams with talent ready to go and developed in the system of the big league team.
Former Arizona Wildcat Gabe York is playing for the Erie BayHawks in the D-League as well as former Trojan Julian Jacobs (LA D-Fenders). Kaleb Tarczewski was playing in the D-League but opted to play in Italy for the remainder of the season. Right now, you can make more money overseas, and because the call-ups to the big leagues happened right after the All-Star break, it doesn’t look good for anyone else to move up at this point.
Look to Major League Baseball, or the MLS or even European soccer/football; they all groom players to play for the major team.
We enjoyed seeing Kobi in the Sweet 16 game, although most would talk about his lack of minutes then end of the season. We will talk about his production in the minutes he played.
Simmons played with a lot of energy and heart on the court scoring five points in five minutes including two rebounds. He also committed two fouls, but that showed a willingness to play defense. I’d take an average of one point a minute any day.
| Rk | Date | Opponent | GS | MP | FG | FG% | 2P | 2P% | 3P | 3P% | FT | FT% | TRB | PF | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 37 | 2017-03-23 | Xavier | 0 | 5 | 2 | .500 | 2 | .667 | 0 | .000 | 1 | .500 | 2 | 2 | 5 |
Provided by CBB at Sports Reference: View Original Table
Generated 3/24/2017.
Here are his complete college career Stats:
| Rk | Date | Opponent | MP | FG | FG% | 2P | 2P% | 3P | 3P% | FT | FT% | TRB | AST | STL | BLK | PTS | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2016-11-11 | Michigan State | W | 26 | 4 | .571 | 2 | .500 | 2 | .667 | 8 | .800 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 18 |
| 2 | 2016-11-15 | Cal State Bakersfield | W | 34 | 2 | .250 | 1 | .200 | 1 | .333 | 8 | .727 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 13 |
| 3 | 2016-11-18 | Sacred Heart | W | 34 | 7 | .500 | 7 | .636 | 0 | .000 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 14 | |
| 4 | 2016-11-21 | Northern Colorado | W | 24 | 1 | .200 | 0 | .000 | 1 | .250 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3 | |
| 5 | 2016-11-24 | Santa Clara | W | 23 | 5 | .714 | 2 | .500 | 3 | 1.000 | 1 | .333 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 14 |
| 6 | 2016-11-25 | Butler | L | 28 | 6 | .462 | 6 | .600 | 0 | .000 | 2 | 1.000 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 14 |
| 7 | 2016-11-30 | Texas Southern | W | 33 | 7 | .636 | 6 | .667 | 1 | .500 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 15 | |
| 8 | 2016-12-03 | Gonzaga | L | 29 | 1 | .111 | 1 | .143 | 0 | .000 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | |
| 9 | 2016-12-06 | UC-Irvine | W | 24 | 2 | .250 | 1 | .333 | 1 | .200 | 4 | 1.000 | 3 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 9 |
| 10 | 2016-12-10 | Missouri | W | 37 | 8 | .533 | 5 | .556 | 3 | .500 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 19 | |
| 11 | 2016-12-14 | Grand Canyon | W | 34 | 2 | .286 | 1 | .167 | 1 | 1.000 | 8 | .800 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 13 |
| 12 | 2016-12-17 | Texas A&M | W | 37 | 4 | .400 | 4 | .571 | 0 | .000 | 6 | .667 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 14 |
| 13 | 2016-12-20 | New Mexico | W | 34 | 2 | .333 | 1 | .200 | 1 | 1.000 | 6 | .750 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 11 |
| 14 | 2016-12-30 | University of California | W | 31 | 6 | .429 | 6 | .545 | 0 | .000 | 2 | 1.000 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 14 |
| 15 | 2017-01-01 | Stanford | W | 28 | 6 | .600 | 5 | .625 | 1 | .500 | 2 | 1.000 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 15 |
| 16 | 2017-01-05 | Utah | W | 28 | 2 | .333 | 1 | .333 | 1 | .333 | 2 | 1.000 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 7 |
| 17 | 2017-01-07 | Colorado | W | 28 | 2 | .286 | 2 | .333 | 0 | .000 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 4 | |
| 18 | 2017-01-12 | Arizona State | W | 33 | 5 | .556 | 2 | .667 | 3 | .500 | 0 | 4 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 13 | |
| 19 | 2017-01-19 | USC | W | 27 | 3 | .333 | 2 | .400 | 1 | .250 | 3 | .750 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 10 |
| 20 | 2017-01-21 | UCLA | W | 33 | 6 | .429 | 4 | .444 | 2 | .400 | 6 | 1.000 | 6 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 20 |
| 21 | 2017-01-26 | Washington State | W | 27 | 2 | .286 | 1 | .250 | 1 | .333 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5 | |
| 22 | 2017-01-29 | Washington | W | 27 | 5 | .455 | 4 | .800 | 1 | .167 | 2 | 1.000 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 13 |
| 23 | 2017-02-02 | Oregon State | W | 27 | 3 | .500 | 2 | .400 | 1 | 1.000 | 2 | 1.000 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 9 |
| 24 | 2017-02-04 | Oregon | L | 21 | 1 | .125 | 1 | .200 | 0 | .000 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | |
| 25 | 2017-02-08 | Stanford | W | 19 | 3 | .429 | 2 | .667 | 1 | .250 | 2 | .667 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 9 |
| 26 | 2017-02-11 | University of California | W | 23 | 5 | .625 | 3 | .500 | 2 | 1.000 | 1 | 1.000 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 13 |
| 27 | 2017-02-16 | Washington State | W | 24 | 3 | .429 | 1 | .250 | 2 | .667 | 0 | .000 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 8 |
| 28 | 2017-02-18 | Washington | W | 27 | 1 | .111 | 1 | .143 | 0 | .000 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 2 | |
| 29 | 2017-02-23 | USC | W | 13 | 3 | .333 | 1 | .200 | 2 | .500 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | |
| 30 | 2017-02-25 | UCLA | L | 15 | 0 | .000 | 0 | .000 | 0 | .000 | 1 | .500 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 31 | 2017-03-04 | Arizona State | W | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||
| 32 | 2017-03-09 | Colorado | W | 6 | 1 | .250 | 1 | .250 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | ||
| 33 | 2017-03-10 | UCLA | W | 4 | 0 | .000 | 0 | .000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 34 | 2017-03-11 | Oregon | W | 3 | 0 | .000 | 0 | 0 | .000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 35 | 2017-03-16 | North Dakota | W | 14 | 2 | .667 | 2 | .667 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | ||
| 36 | 2017-03-18 | Saint Mary’s (CA) | W | 6 | 0 | .000 | 0 | .000 | 0 | .000 | 2 | 1.000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 37 | 2017-03-23 | Xavier | L | 5 | 2 | .500 | 2 | .667 | 0 | .000 | 1 | .500 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| 37 Games | 871 | 112 | .397 | 80 | .435 | 32 | .327 | 69 | .775 | 60 | 73 | 24 | 3 | 325 |
Provided by CBB at Sports Reference: View Original Table
Generated 3/29/2017.
We thought it fun to include a photo gallery from his college season, something he can look back on and hopefully it will bring a smile to his face, that smile yes! Or a smirk, enjoy his smirking ability.
Jan 12, 2017; Tucson, AZ, USA; Arizona Wildcats guard Kobi Simmons (2) celebrates after scoring against the Arizona State Sun Devils during the first half at McKale Center. Mandatory Credit: Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 14, 2016; Tucson, AZ, USA; Arizona Wildcats guard Kobi Simmons (2) dribbles past Grand Canyon Lopes guard DeWayne Russell (0) during the second half at McKale Center. Arizona won 64-54. Mandatory Credit: Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 18, 2016; Tucson, AZ, USA; Arizona Wildcats head coach Sean Miller talks to guard Kobi Simmons (2) during the first half against the Sacred Heart Pioneers at McKale Center. Mandatory Credit: Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 18, 2016; Tucson, AZ, USA; Arizona Wildcats guard Kobi Simmons (2) passes the ball as Sacred Heart Pioneers forward Joseph Lopez (21) defends during the first half at McKale Center. Mandatory Credit: Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 15, 2016; Tucson, AZ, USA; Cal State Bakersfield Roadrunners guard Dedrick Basile (5) shoots the ball as Arizona Wildcats guard Kobi Simmons (2) defends during the first half at McKale Center. Mandatory Credit: Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 21, 2016; Tucson, AZ, USA; Arizona Wildcats guard Kobi Simmons (2) reacts after a call during the second half against the Northern Colorado Bears at McKale Center. Arizona won 71-55. Mandatory Credit: Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 11, 2016; Honolulu, HI, USA; Arizona Wildcats guard Kobi Simmons (2) holds up the trophy after winning against the Michigan State Spartans at the Stan Sheriff Center. Arizona defeats Michigan State 65-63. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 6, 2016; Tucson, AZ, USA; Arizona Wildcats guard Kobi Simmons (2) celebrates after scoring against the UC Irvine Anteaters during the second half at McKale Center. Arizona won 79-57. Mandatory Credit: Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 10, 2016; Columbia, MO, USA; Arizona Wildcats guard Kobi Simmons (2) drives to the basket during the first half of the game against the Missouri Tigers at Mizzou Arena. Arizona won 79-60. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 17, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Arizona Wildcats guard Kobi Simmons (2) shoots the ball as Texas A&M Aggies forward Robert Williams (44) defends during the second half at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 20, 2016; Tucson, AZ, USA; Arizona Wildcats guard Kobi Simmons (2) and head coach Sean Miller talk on the sideline during the second half against the New Mexico Lobos at McKale Center. Arizona won 77-46. Mandatory Credit: Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 7, 2017; Tucson, AZ, USA; Colorado Buffaloes forward Tory Miller (14) looks to shoot as Arizona Wildcats guard Kobi Simmons (2) falls back during the first half at McKale Center. Mandatory Credit: Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 7, 2017; Tucson, AZ, USA; Arizona Wildcats guard Kobi Simmons (2) high fives guard Kadeem Allen (5) (left) during the second half against the Colorado Buffaloes at McKale Center. Arizona won 82-73. Mandatory Credit: Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 12, 2017; Tucson, AZ, USA; Arizona Wildcats guard Kobi Simmons (2) dunks the ball against the Arizona State Sun Devils during the second half at McKale Center. The Wildcats won 91-75. Mandatory Credit: Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 29, 2017; Tucson, AZ, USA; Arizona Wildcats guard Kobi Simmons (2) celebrates after scoring against the Washington Huskies during the second half at McKale Center. Arizona won 77-66. Mandatory Credit: Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 26, 2017; Tucson, AZ, USA; Arizona Wildcats guard Kobi Simmons (2) reacts to a call during the second half against the Washington State Cougars at McKale Center. The Wildcats won 79-62. Mandatory Credit: Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 8, 2017; Tucson, AZ, USA; Arizona Wildcats guard Kobi Simmons (2) celebrates after scoring against the Stanford Cardinal during the first half at McKale Center. Mandatory Credit: Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 25, 2017; Tucson, AZ, USA; Arizona Wildcats guard Kobi Simmons (2) defends UCLA Bruins guard Lonzo Ball (2) during the second half at McKale Center. UCLA won 77-72. Mandatory Credit: Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 18, 2017; Seattle, WA, USA; Arizona Wildcats guard Kobi Simmons (2) dribbles the ball defended by Washington Huskies forward Noah Dickerson (15) during the second half at Alaska Airlines Arena at Hec Edmundson Pavili. Arizona Wildcats defeated Washington Huskies 76-68. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 23, 2017; Tucson, AZ, USA; Southern California Trojans guard Elijah Stewart (30) drives to the basket as Arizona Wildcats guard Kobi Simmons (2) defends during the first half at McKale Center. Mandatory Credit: Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 19, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Southern California Trojans guard De’Anthony Melton (22) and Arizona Wildcats guard Kobi Simmons (2) battle for the ball during a NCAA basketball at Galen Center. Arizona defeated USC 73-66. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
March 16, 2017; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Arizona Wildcats guard Kobi Simmons (2) moves to the basket against North Dakota Fighting Hawks forward Drick Bernstine (43) during the first half of the first round of the NCAA tournament at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
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Thanks for the memories Shoogs! You are a Wildcat forever and you will always belong to Wildcats fans. We will continue to follow your life story, Bear Down!