Thunder NBA Draft prospect series: Kobi Simmons
By Tony Heim
Kobi Simmons entry into the NBA Draft surprised some, but the upside of the guard makes him a player to watch for the OKC Thunder.
When it comes to players with incredibly low floors and extremely high ceilings, Kobi Simmons may be the most polarizing of the bunch. The freshman from Arizona can score in a variety of ways but whether or not he can contribute in other areas is yet to be seen.
Specifics
Height: 6’4
Weight: 170 Ibs
Position: Shooting Guard
Age: 20
College: Arizona
Statline: 8.7 points, 1.6 rebounds, 2 assists, .6 steals, .1 blocks
Current rankings
Please note that rankings are the most up-to-date at the time of writing this. They are subject to change at any moment and for any reason.
Draft Express: 76th overall prospect
The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor: NR
CBS Sports: NR
Skills
Kobi Simmons has tried to live up to his namesake (don’t @ me that it’s misspelled) since he picked up a ball. Simmons has elite level athleticism and can light up the scoreboard in a minutes notice. The only problem is he is wildly inconsistent.
Although it may seem like Simmons’ sole purpose in life is to get buckets he turns out to be a solid passer. When he beats his man and a help defender comes he naturally finds the open man, a good sign for a player projected to be an igniter off the bench.
Weaknesses
Actual basketball skills. Besides scoring/setting up opportunities to score Simmons doesn’t do much on the court. In over 23 minutes a game he averaged only 1.6 rebounds, .6 steals, .1 blocks and 1.2 turnovers. He rarely engages himself in a play unless he or his man has the ball.
Simmons may be seen as a scorer, but he wasn’t efficient enough in the collegiate ranks to think he can get by against NBA defenders. He only shot 43.2% from two-point range and 32.7% from three in his lone season at Arizona.
Honors and awards
More from Thunderous Intentions
- Stealing one player from every Southwest Division team for the OKC Thunder
- Should the OKC Thunder chase after a disgruntled hometown hero?
- 3 OKC Thunder players who can step up in Aleksej Pokusevski’s absence
- Aleksej Pokusevski sidelined approximately 6 weeks with ankle injury
- Damian Lillard does not fit with the OKC Thunder
McDonald’s All-American (2016)
Most points in Arizona debut in a decade (2016)
The fit
Although Oklahoma City could use a scoring guard off the bench, Simmons doesn’t seem like the right fit for the Thunder. Sam Presti, Billy Donovan and Russell Westbrook like players who play every possession with 110% effort.
At only 20-years old there’s a chance that Simmons has an attitude change and realizes his potential. If that in fact happens he could be a really good 7th or 8th man on a contending team.