Arizona Basketball guard Kobi Simmons showed off his athleticism at the NBA combine to scouts and Vipers Coach Matt Brase, hoping to give them reasons why he should be drafted.
Ease the debate on whether Kobi Simmons should have declared for the NBA draft. It’s only futile since Simmons has signed with an agent and his fate with Arizona is sealed. Regardless of how you feel, Simmons believes he is ready now and is using his superior athleticism to prove it.
Simmons showed glimpses of brilliance with the Wildcats this past season. During Allonzo Trier’s suspension, Simmons was crucial to Arizona’s early success in the season. Despite coming into the season with the questions, he quickly subsided those doubts.
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Standing 6-feet-5-inches and 175 pounds, Simmons has some tools to be successful at the next level, but is he truly ready for the NBA, as some have alluded since learning of his intentions to go pro?
Naturally a two-guard (or a shooting guard), Simmons possesses enough athleticism and quickness to be a pretty good guard in the NBA once he really begins to hit his ceiling. This past season, Simmons also showed great potential, even running the point guard at times, where he may likely project in the NBA.
As it stands, Simmons is currently projected to be drafted 56th overall by the New York Knicks according to DraftExpress.com. He certainly has a lot to build upon, and we hope he’s truly confident in what he’s doing and that he’s more ready than people think.
So far in the NBA Combine, he’s turning some heads, and the could be good news for his draft chances moving forward. Just a few days ago, Simmons showed that athleticism by running one of the quickest shuttle times.
According to @ESPN, Kobi Simmons currently has the fastest shuttle run of any player at the NBA combine.
— Ben White (@Ben1White) May 11, 2017
He also seems to have been working on his jump shot, and the hard work seems to be showing…
More Kobi Simmons workout pic.twitter.com/9pM3B74n5N
— Steve Kyler (@stevekylerNBA) May 10, 2017
In addition to his shooting touch, Simmons is trying to become more of a point guard, and scouts have been taking notice.
Bruce Pascoe, Arizona Daily Star, spoke to Simmons at the NBA Combine about playing guard:
"“But right now I am playing point guard and this is my chance to show it. … I think I did a pretty decent job.”“I say I’m a point guard,” Simmons said. “I can play off the ball. I can play combo guard. But primarily I definitely am a point guard. … I’m showing them I can play point guard and I can guard my position. I can push the pace and run the team.”“In school, I played the two so they definitely see I can play off the ball. But I’m definitely a point guard.”– Kobi Simmons"
It’s hard to see Kobi leave so soon since many fans were at least encouraged by what potential he showed at Arizona this past season even though at the end of the year when his role diminished.
Perhaps that was a sign he’d come back. However, it was not meant to be.
I for one was looking for more exciting play from him next season…
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At Zona Zealots, we want to wish Kobi the best of luck as he continues his workouts ahead of the NBA Draft. Good luck, and as always, Bear Down, Arizona!