NBA Draft 2018 Prospect Watch: Anfernee Simons
By Adam McGee
Strengths
Not only is Simons an explosive athlete, but he moves with an effortlessness that instantly gives him an advantage over many of his peers.
Simons is already working with a nice handle, but whether measuring things up in the halfcourt or driving to the basket, there’s an element of control about Simons’ movement that isn’t always apparent in NBA players, never mind draft prospects.
His decision-making may have some catching up to do, but Simons is an incredibly gifted athlete.
That silky movement, bounce and quick first step sets the base for an intriguing offensive game that also boasts a soft touch around the rim.
Simons’ decision-making would make playing point guard a tough fit for him at present, but with the combination of his handle and a reliable floater, he already has a route to success out of pick-and-rolls. If Simons can turn the corner, the likelihood is he’ll end up with a high percentage shot.
Looking at Simons’ jump shot, there seems to be obvious room for mechanical improvement as his motion starts just a little low, but with a relatively quick release it may not stop him from getting clean shots off.
From there, Simons has displayed a comfort in shooting on the move, but is likely most at home when pulling-up. There are certainly signs of three-point range, but to fully realize his ability as a shooter, Simons will need to become smarter with his shot selection.