The NBA season is reaching its apex right now. With the playoff hunt in full swing, it’s easy to forget the draft is only three months away. But soon, all eyes will shift toward the top recruits, and when they do, plenty of teams will check out Anfernee Simons.
The prospect told ESPN he has decided to waive his NCAA eligibility and declare for the 2018 draft.
“After discussing the matter with my parents, I have decided to forego the opportunity to play in the NCAA and to instead enter the NBA draft,” Simons told ESPN’s Jonathan Givony. “I am very thankful for the support I received at IMG Academy and from the NCAA coaches who recruited me. I am ready and excited to pursue my dream of playing in the NBA.”
Guard Anfernee Simons of IMG Academy is entering the NBA Draft, his agents Drew Rosenhaus and Bobby Petriella tell ESPN. Simons is No. 19 in ESPN’s most recent mock draft.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) March 22, 2018
Simons is only 18, but he’ll have just turned 19 by the time the draft rolls around. He was a top-10 recruit in his high school class. He’ll enter the draft one year removed from his high school career.
He spent his postgraduate year at the renowned IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla. Givony writes that all 30 teams have scouted IMG to see him this season.
The top recruit will attend the Jordan Brand Classic and Nike Hoop Summit. He will also appear in the 2018 Iverson Classic.
ESPN has him at No. 18 in its latest mock draft. An athletic guard and excellent deep shooter, Simons could creep into the lottery with a strong performance at camps and team workouts leading up to the draft.
A number of colleges — Tennessee, NC State, Florida, and South Carolina, among others — were hoping to land Simons. He originally committed to Louisville but de-committed after a recruiting scandal led to head coach Rick Pitino being fired.
Simons, 6-foot-4 with a 6-foot-7 wingspan, plans to sign with agent Bobby Petriella of Rosenhaus Sports Representation, according to ESPN.
