Simonds works to disprove shooting-guard stereotype

Panthers’ No. 2 scorer also is among team’s top defenders.

When you look at a typical shooting guard, you expect him to take 10 to 15 shots per game and lead his a team in scoring. You’d expect the shooting guard to beg for the ball the majority of the game and draw the easiest defensive assignments.

You expect shooting guards to be all about themselves and how great they look on the stat sheet.

If you met D’Marcus Simonds, Georgia State’s shooting guard, you’d realize that perception couldn’t be more wrong.

“At the end of the day all I’m trying to do is win,” Simonds said about what he wishes the media would say about him. “I’m just trying to help my teammates do better in their lives, and make myself a better person, and it’s all a process.

“In my opinion all media is good media, if you’re going to put something out there on me, it’ll be all right at the end of the day. Just wish they would get a chance to see what kind of person I actually am before they put out these pre-judgments.”

Simonds has been through a lot of stress since he was playing high school ball for Buford and Gainesville.

“It’s just been a long, hectic process ever since I was little, moving schools and all that type of stuff,” Simonds said about his

difficulties in life. “Throughout high school I had a lot of adversity on me, just constant people putting things out on me that aren’t true.

“But (Georgia State assistant) coach Claude Pardue and (head) coach Ron Hunter had a lot of faith me and a lot of faith in the person I truly am and not the person I was perceived to be. But perception is reality toward a lot of people, but I’m just really thankful for the opportunity they gave me.”

Not only has he overcome adversity off the court, but on the court Simonds has shown people he is the opposite of the shooting guard stereotype.

“Chemistry is the biggest thing in basketball,” Simonds said. “You can have five pros on the floor and 10 pros on your team, and it won’t matter if y’all don’t want to play together.

“You can always tell when a team has chemistry because the ball swings, and they’re always happy for each other. They’re just happy to do the little things for each other, like little rotations on defense like, ‘Oh, I’ll get there for you, you get mine now.’ Keep faith in your teammates and you always want to do something for them. Be your brother’s keeper.”

Chemistry is so important to Simonds that his role model in basketball is his teammate.

“It sounds crazy, but since I was a freshman I’ve always looked up to Isaiah Williams. Just the way he played, he always plays with a lot of heart. He’s always running down the court faster than everybody, and plays hard on defense to get the steals. He really just kind of taught me how to play.”

Simonds understands that team chemistry and playing for each other is the key to success.

Georgia State went 1-3 when Simonds and a few other guards were sidelined with injuries. The chemistry just wasn’t working with players missing. However, since their health improved, the Panthers have won eight consecutive Sun Belt Conference games.

Entering today’s home game against Louisiana-Lafayette, Simonds ranks second on the team with 12.7 points per game, but in the past five games he has averaged 20.2 points. He earned his first Sun Belt Player of the Week Honors on Jan. 31.

Although he’s a fine scorer, he does much more. Simonds is one of the team’s defensive leaders, guarding some of the opposition’s best scorers, and ranks first on the team in steals with 30.

“Honestly, it’s just all about positioning yourself,” Simonds said of his defense. “There’s only so many things a guy can do with the ball, and I feel like defense really just wins the game. So, I just kind of give my all on the defensive end, and everything will be easier on offense. If you get a steal, you can just run down the court (for a) no-contest layup.”

Simonds continually tries to improve.

“Every single part of my game has something to work on,” Simonds said. “There’s no part of anyone’s game that’s going to be perfect. I just feel like every single aspect I can work on and get better. I’m just trying to make sure everyone sees the best me every single night.”

Off the court, Simonds cares about his family and friends.

“It’s close to home, and my mother is actually from Atlanta; my whole family is here,” Simonds said on why he chose Georgia State. “My parents have always come to every single game ever. What if I just went out of state somewhere far and they were watching me on TV? They would throw a fit.

“Williams is one of my best friends. (We’ve) been friends since I was 14 years old, so it was just a great fit.”

The Panthers are in a threeway tie for first in the Sun Belt Conference at 9-2. Simonds has great expectations for his team in the future.

“I’m trying to go to the tournament and win some games,” Simonds said about his goal this season. “I think we have the team to do that, and we can really make some noise.”

Next time you think of Simonds, remember him as a team player and not just your average shooting guard.

D’Marcus Simonds says he chose Georgia State because his family can attend home games. Friend Isaiah Williams also plays for GSU.