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Jonathon Simmons

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Jonathon Simmons
No. 17 – Al Riyadi
PositionShooting guard / small forward
LeagueLebanese Basketball League
Personal information
Born (1989-09-14) September 14, 1989 (age 35)
Houston, Texas, U.S.
Listed height6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)
Listed weight195 lb (88 kg)
Career information
High schoolSmiley (Houston, Texas)
College
NBA draft2012: undrafted
Playing career2013–present
Career history
2013Sugar Land Legends
2013–2015Austin Toros/Spurs
2015–2017San Antonio Spurs
2015–2016→Austin Spurs
2017–2019Orlando Magic
2019Philadelphia 76ers
2020Santa Cruz Warriors
2020–2021Liaoning Flying Leopards
2021–2022Shanxi Loongs
2023NLEX Road Warriors
2023Shanxi Loongs
2023–2024Ohud Medina
2024–presentAl Riyadi
Career highlights and awards
Stats at NBA.com Edit this at Wikidata
Stats at Basketball Reference Edit this at Wikidata

Jonathon Calvin Simmons (born September 14, 1989) is an American professional basketball player for Al Riyadi of the Lebanese Basketball League. He played one season of Division I college basketball for the University of Houston before a stint in the semi-professional American Basketball League (ABL) led to him joining the NBA D-League's Austin Toros in 2013. Following two seasons in the D-League, Simmons signed with the San Antonio Spurs after an impressive 2015 NBA Summer League.

High school and college career

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After earning co-Most Valuable Player honors for the district as a senior at M. B. Smiley High School of Houston in 2007–08, Simmons spent his college freshman season in 2008–09 playing for Paris Junior College, where he averaged 12.2 points and three rebounds per game, and earned all-conference honors. For his sophomore season, Simmons transferred to Midland College, where he was an all-conference and all-region selection in 2009–10, after averaging 13.3 points and four rebounds per game.[1]

On November 15, 2010, Simmons signed a National Letter of Intent to play college basketball for the University of Houston.[2] However, he was required to sit out the 2010–11 season due to NCAA transfer regulations.[1]

As a junior at Houston in 2011–12, Simmons was named to the RAMADA All-College Classic All-Tournament Team and earned Conference USA Player of the Week honors on February 20, 2012. In 30 games (29 starts), he averaged 14.7 points, 5.0 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game.[1]

On April 12, 2012, Simmons decided to forgo his senior season and declared for the NBA draft.[3]

Professional career

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Sugar Land Legends (2013)

[edit]

Despite receiving multiple pre-draft workouts with various NBA teams,[4] Simmons went undrafted in the 2012 NBA draft. In January 2013, he was selected in the first round of the inaugural American Basketball League (ABL) draft by the Sugar Land Legends,[5] and despite an interrupted season in the ABL because of the new league's financial concerns, Simmons still averaged 36.5 points throughout 16 games.[6]

Austin Toros/Spurs (2013–2015)

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In September 2013, Simmons tried out for the Austin Toros of the NBA Development League[7] and made the team's training camp roster.[8] He went on to make the Toros' opening night roster,[9] and in 44 games as a rookie in 2013–14, he averaged 9.8 points, 4.5 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 1.0 steals per game.[10]

Simmons returned to Austin in 2014–15, with the team's name having changed to the Spurs.[11] He improved his game in 2014–15 and subsequently scored a career-high 30 points against the Bakersfield Jam on January 9, 2015.[12] During his time in Austin, Simmons considered giving up on his basketball career, moving back home and working a 9-to-5 job to take care of his four daughters. He pushed on, however, and during his second season vaulted his way back onto the NBA radar. A move to point guard forced Simmons to see the court from a different perspective, a move that unlocked the rest of his game.[13] He helped carry Austin to the Western Conference Finals, and in 50 games on the season, he averaged 15.2 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.0 steals per game,[10] and was named to the NBA D-League All-Defensive third team.[14]

San Antonio Spurs (2015–2017)

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On June 29, 2015, Simmons was named in the Brooklyn Nets' Summer League roster to compete in Orlando and Las Vegas.[15] After appearing in the Nets' first three games of the Orlando Summer League and averaging 12 points and five rebounds per game,[16] Simmons was invited to join the San Antonio Spurs Summer League team in Las Vegas. He immediately parted ways with the Nets and made his debut for the Spurs on July 11 against the New York Knicks.[17] On July 20, he scored 23 points in the Las Vegas Summer League Championship Game to help the Spurs win the title and earn himself the Championship Game MVP.[18] Two days later, he signed with the Spurs.[19]

Simmons was inactive for San Antonio's first five games to start the 2015–16 season. He was subsequently assigned to the Austin Spurs on November 7, returning to his former team.[20] On November 14, he was recalled by San Antonio,[21] and made his NBA debut later that night. In eight minutes of action, he recorded two points, two rebounds, two assists and one steal in a 92–83 win over the Philadelphia 76ers.[22] He was reassigned to Austin on November 16,[23] and recalled again on November 18.[24] On December 7, he had a then season-best game, scoring 14 points in 24 minutes off the bench in a 119–68 win over the Philadelphia 76ers.[25] On January 4, he scored a then career-high 18 points in a 123–98 win over the Milwaukee Bucks.[26] He made a name for himself in Milwaukee after Bucks fans heckled him during the game with "Who are you?" chants while Simmons was shooting free throws early on in the contest.[27] On March 17, he was assigned to Austin to play in the D-League for the first time since November 17.[28] He was recalled on March 19,[29] reassigned on March 20,[30] and recalled again on March 22.[31] On March 26, he had a 17-point game off the bench in a loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder.[32] In the Spurs' regular season finale on April 13, Simmons scored a then career-high 19 points in a 96–91 win over the Dallas Mavericks.[33]

In July 2016, Simmons re-joined the Spurs for the 2016 NBA Summer League.[34] In the Spurs' season opener on October 25, 2016, Simmons scored a career-high 20 points in a 129–100 win over the Golden State Warriors.[35] On December 30, 2016, he scored a team-high 19 points in 30 minutes off the bench in a 110–94 win over the Portland Trail Blazers.[36] On January 25, 2017, he was named in the U.S. Team for the 2017 Rising Stars Challenge.[37] On May 11, 2017, Simmons made his first career playoff start, filling in for the injured Kawhi Leonard and scoring 18 points in a 114–75 win over the Houston Rockets in Game 6 of their second-round series. The win advanced the Spurs to the Western Conference Finals.[38]

On June 21, 2017, the Spurs tendered a $1.6 million qualifying offer to make Simmons a restricted free agent.[39] On July 13, 2017, the Spurs withdrew their qualifying offer.[40]

Orlando Magic (2017–2019)

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On July 15, 2017, Simmons signed a three-year, $20 million contract with the Orlando Magic.[41][42] On October 29, 2017, he led the Magic with 27 points off the bench on 9-of-15 shooting in a 120–113 loss to the Charlotte Hornets.[43] On December 9, 2017, he scored a career-high 29 points in a 117–110 loss to the Atlanta Hawks.[44] On February 6, 2018, he scored 22 of his career-high 34 points in the third quarter of the Magic's 116–98 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers. Simmons' 22-point quarter was three points short of the franchise record set by Tracy McGrady in 2003.[45] On March 14, 2018, he set a new career high with 35 points in a 126–117 win over the Milwaukee Bucks.[46]

On December 10, 2018, Simmons scored a season-high 18 points in a 101–76 loss to the Dallas Mavericks.[47]

Philadelphia 76ers (2019)

[edit]

On February 7, 2019, Simmons was traded, along with a 2020 protected first-round pick (via Oklahoma City) and a 2019 second-round pick, to the Philadelphia 76ers in exchange for Markelle Fultz.[48]

On June 21, 2019, Simmons was traded, along with the draft rights to Admiral Schofield, to the Washington Wizards in exchange for cash considerations.[49] On July 7, 2019, the Wizards waived Simmons.[50]

Santa Cruz Warriors (2020)

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On February 25, 2020, the Santa Cruz Warriors announced that they had acquired Simmons and the returning right to Chris Walker from the Rio Grande Valley Vipers in exchange for returning rights to both Antonius Cleveland and Jared Cunningham plus a first round draft pick in the 2020 NBA G League draft.[51] On March 5, 2020, Simmons posted his third straight game with at least 18 points in addition to six rebounds in a loss against the Salt Lake City Stars.[52]

Overseas

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In late October 2020, Simmons arrived in China to join Liaoning Flying Leopards.[53] The signing was officially announced on December 1.[54][55]

On December 15, 2021, Simmons joined Shanxi Loongs of the Chinese Basketball Association.[56]

In December 2022, Simmons signed with the NLEX Road Warriors of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) as the team's import for the 2023 PBA Governors' Cup.[57] He only played four games as he returned to China for a more lucrative contract.[58] He was replaced by Wayne Selden Jr.[59]

Career statistics

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Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field goal percentage  3P%  3-point field goal percentage  FT%  Free throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game  Bold  Career high

NBA

[edit]

Regular season

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Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2015–16 San Antonio 55 2 14.8 .504 .383 .750 1.7 1.1 .4 .1 6.0
2016–17 San Antonio 78 8 17.8 .420 .294 .750 2.1 1.6 .6 .3 6.2
2017–18 Orlando 69 50 29.4 .465 .338 .768 3.5 2.5 .8 .2 13.9
2018–19 Orlando 41 9 20.6 .364 .229 .778 2.4 2.3 .4 .3 6.9
Philadelphia 15 0 14.6 .453 .429 .640 1.7 2.2 .7 .1 5.5
Career 258 69 20.5 .443 .317 .756 2.4 1.9 .6 .2 8.3

Playoffs

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Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2016 San Antonio 3 0 8.7 .400 .667 .500 1.3 .7 .7 .0 3.7
2017 San Antonio 15 4 20.4 .456 .351 .677 1.9 1.9 .6 .1 10.5
2019 Philadelphia 7 0 7.4 .333 .200 .750 1.3 .3 .1 .0 3.6
Career 25 4 15.4 .432 .340 .676 1.6 1.3 .5 .1 7.8

College

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Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2011–12 Houston 30 29 30.1 .512 .386 .716 5.0 2.2 .7 .4 14.7

Personal life

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Simmons is the son of LaTonya Simmons, and has a younger brother and two sisters. Simmons has four daughters.[60]

References

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  1. ^ a b c "Jonathon Simmons Bio". UHCougars.com. Archived from the original on October 31, 2016. Retrieved July 12, 2015.
  2. ^ "Men's Hoops Signs Four during Early Period". UHCougars.com. November 15, 2010. Archived from the original on July 22, 2015. Retrieved July 12, 2015.
  3. ^ Khan Jr, Sam (April 12, 2012). "UH junior guard Simmons declares for NBA draft". Chron.com. Retrieved July 12, 2015.
  4. ^ "Jonathon Simmons Biography". NBA.com. June 18, 2012. Retrieved July 12, 2015.
  5. ^ "Sugar Land Legends First Round Draft Pick". Facebook.com. January 15, 2013. Retrieved July 12, 2015.
  6. ^ Rodriguez, Ken (February 4, 2014). "From Nowhere to Now Here". NBA.com. Retrieved July 12, 2015.
  7. ^ Chan, Lorne (July 22, 2015). "Jonathon Simmons' Scenic Route". NBA.com. Retrieved July 22, 2015.
  8. ^ "Austin Toros Announce Trainig [sic] Camp Invitees". NBA.com. October 31, 2013. Archived from the original on January 10, 2016. Retrieved July 12, 2015.
  9. ^ "Austin Toros Announce 2013-14 Opening Night Roster". NBA.com. November 22, 2013. Archived from the original on June 29, 2015. Retrieved July 12, 2015.
  10. ^ a b "Jonathon Simmons D-League Stats". Basketball-Reference.com. Retrieved July 12, 2015.
  11. ^ "Austin Spurs Announce Training Camp Roster". NBA.com. November 3, 2014. Archived from the original on November 6, 2014. Retrieved July 12, 2015.
  12. ^ "Highlights: Jonathan Simmons (30 points) vs. the Jam, 1/9/2015". YouTube.com. January 9, 2015. Retrieved July 12, 2015.
  13. ^ ""The Greatest Story in Basketball": Jonathon Simmons' Career Timeline". NBA.com. April 18, 2016. Retrieved July 7, 2016.
  14. ^ "NBA Development League Announces 2014-15 All-League Teams". NBA.com. April 22, 2015. Archived from the original on April 26, 2015. Retrieved July 12, 2015.
  15. ^ "BROOKLYN NETS ANNOUNCE SUMMER LEAGUE ROSTER AND SCHEDULE". NBA.com. June 29, 2015. Retrieved July 12, 2015.
  16. ^ "Spurs Sign Jonathon Simmons To Two-Year Deal". RealGM.com. July 10, 2015. Retrieved July 12, 2015.
  17. ^ "Spurs guard Jonathan [sic] Simmons' posterizing dunk at Summer League!". YouTube.com. July 11, 2015. Retrieved July 12, 2015.
  18. ^ "Recap: Spurs 93, Suns 90". NBA.com. July 20, 2015. Archived from the original on July 23, 2015. Retrieved July 20, 2015.
  19. ^ "Spurs Sign Jonathon Simmons". NBA.com. July 22, 2015. Retrieved July 22, 2015.
  20. ^ "SPURS ASSIGN JONATHON SIMMONS TO AUSTIN SPURS". NBA.com. November 7, 2015. Retrieved November 7, 2015.
  21. ^ "Spurs Recall Jonathon Simmons from Austin Spurs". NBA.com. November 14, 2015. Retrieved November 14, 2015.
  22. ^ "Aldridge's double-double lifts Spurs over 76ers". NBA.com. November 14, 2015. Archived from the original on November 12, 2015. Retrieved November 14, 2015.
  23. ^ "SPURS ASSIGN JONATHON SIMMONS TO AUSTIN SPURS". NBA.com. November 16, 2015. Retrieved November 19, 2015.
  24. ^ "Spurs Recall Jonathon Simmons from Austin Spurs". NBA.com. November 18, 2015. Retrieved November 19, 2015.
  25. ^ "Spurs rest starters, still romp 119-68 past hapless 76ers". NBA.com. December 7, 2015. Archived from the original on January 12, 2016. Retrieved December 7, 2015.
  26. ^ "Leonard scores 24, Spurs beat Bucks 123-98". NBA.com. January 4, 2016. Archived from the original on January 5, 2016. Retrieved January 4, 2016.
  27. ^ McDonald, Jeff (January 4, 2016). "Simmons gives Spurs juice to blow by Bucks". ExpressNews.com. Retrieved January 5, 2016.
  28. ^ "SPURS ASSIGN JONATHON SIMMONS TO AUSTIN SPURS". NBA.com. March 17, 2016. Retrieved March 17, 2016.
  29. ^ "SPURS RECALL JONATHON SIMMONS FROM AUSTIN SPURS". NBA.com. March 19, 2016. Retrieved March 19, 2016.
  30. ^ "SPURS ASSIGN BOBAN MARJANOVIC & JONATHON SIMMONS TO AUSTIN SPURS". NBA.com. March 20, 2016. Retrieved March 20, 2016.
  31. ^ "SPURS RECALL BOBAN MARJANOVIC & JONATHON SIMMONS FROM AUSTIN SPURS". NBA.com. March 22, 2016. Retrieved March 22, 2016.
  32. ^ "Westbrook, Durant lead Thunder past short-handed Spurs". NBA.com. March 26, 2016. Archived from the original on March 27, 2016. Retrieved March 26, 2016.
  33. ^ "Spurs sit 4 starters, top Mavs; game ultimately meaningless". NBA.com. April 13, 2016. Archived from the original on April 17, 2016. Retrieved April 13, 2016.
  34. ^ "SPURS ANNOUNCE 2016 UTAH SUMMER LEAGUE ROSTER". NBA.com. July 1, 2016. Retrieved July 5, 2016.
  35. ^ "Leonard, Spurs spoil Durant's Warriors debut with blowout". ESPN.com. October 25, 2016. Retrieved October 26, 2016.
  36. ^ "Green, Parker help Spurs rally to beat Trail Blazers". ESPN.com. December 30, 2016. Retrieved December 31, 2016.
  37. ^ "Minnesota's Towns and Philadelphia's Embiid headline roster for 2017 BBVA Compass Rising Stars Challenge". NBA.com. January 25, 2017. Retrieved January 26, 2017.
  38. ^ "Spurs rout James Harden, Rockets 114-75 to win series". ESPN.com. May 11, 2017. Retrieved May 12, 2017.
  39. ^ Young, Jabari (June 21, 2017). "Sources: Spurs extend qualifying offer to Simmons". MySanAntonio.com. Retrieved June 22, 2017.
  40. ^ Charania, Shams (July 13, 2017). "Spurs Pull Qualifying Offer To Jonathon Simmons". RealGM.com. Retrieved July 15, 2017.
  41. ^ Denton, John (July 15, 2017). "Magic Sign Free Agent Jonathon Simmons". NBA.com. Retrieved July 15, 2017.
  42. ^ Denton, John (July 14, 2017). "Reports: Jonathon Simmons, Orlando Magic agree to 3-year, $20M deal". NBA.com. Retrieved July 14, 2017.
  43. ^ "Walker scores 34 as Hornets end Magic win streak, 120-113". ESPN.com. October 29, 2017. Retrieved October 29, 2017.
  44. ^ "Bazemore, Ilyasova lead Hawks past Magic, 117-110". ESPN.com. December 9, 2017. Retrieved December 9, 2017.
  45. ^ "Magic overcome 21-point deficit, stun reeling Cavs 116-98". ESPN.com. February 6, 2018. Retrieved February 6, 2018.
  46. ^ "Simmons, Augustin power Magic over Bucks, 126-117". ESPN.com. March 14, 2018. Retrieved March 14, 2018.
  47. ^ "Barnes, Brunson lead Mavericks past Magic 101-76". ESPN.com. December 10, 2018. Retrieved December 10, 2018.
  48. ^ "Team Acquires Jonathon Simmons, First and Second-Round Picks in Trade With Orlando". NBA.com. February 7, 2019. Retrieved February 7, 2019.
  49. ^ "Wizards select Hachimura, trade for rights to Schofield in 2019 NBA Draft". NBA.com. June 21, 2019. Retrieved June 21, 2019.
  50. ^ "Jonathon Simmons released by Wizards to regain cap space". MSN.com. July 7, 2019. Retrieved October 11, 2019.
  51. ^ "Warriors Acquire Jonathan [sic] Simmons In Trade". NBA.com. February 25, 2020. Retrieved February 25, 2020.
  52. ^ "Jonathon Simmons: Third straight with at least 18". CBS Sports. March 6, 2020. Retrieved June 2, 2020.
  53. ^ "辽篮新外援西蒙斯抵达中国 (Liaoning's new foreign player Jonathon Simmons has arrived in China)". cctv.com (in Chinese). October 26, 2020. Retrieved December 1, 2020.
  54. ^ "乔纳森-西蒙斯、威尔森-钱德勒等五名球员完成注册 (5 players including Jonathon Simmons and Wilson Chandler have finished their registration)". 163.com (in Chinese). December 1, 2020. Retrieved December 1, 2020.
  55. ^ "西蒙斯今晚完成注册 将身披14号战袍征战CBA联赛 (Simmons finished his registration tonight, to compete in the CBA league wearing No.14)". weibo.com (in Chinese). Liaoning Flying Leopards on Sina Weibo. December 1, 2020. Retrieved December 1, 2020.
  56. ^ "CBA官网更新外籍球员注册信息：西蒙斯正式加盟山西队". Hupu (in Chinese). December 15, 2021. Retrieved January 2, 2022.
  57. ^ Bacnis, Justine (December 29, 2022). "NLEX signs Jonathon Simmons for Govs Cup". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved December 29, 2022.
  58. ^ Terrado, Reuben (February 4, 2023). "Jonathon Simmons sad, but has no regrets leaving NLEX for big China payday". spin.ph. Retrieved February 7, 2023.
  59. ^ Ramos, Gerry (February 1, 2023). "NLEX taps ex-NBA player Wayne Selden as Simmons replacement". Spin.ph. Retrieved February 7, 2023.
  60. ^ Chan, Lorne. "Improbable Path: Jonathon Simmons' Rise". NBA.com. Retrieved October 27, 2016. Simmons decided to stay in Austin for another year, because he didn't want to be an ocean away from his family, which now included four daughters
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