From escaping the war in Ukraine to chasing league title for Killester
Killester stand on the cusp of a unique treble with the club in the men’s Super League final and women’s Champions Cup Trophy decider tomorrow.
Having already sealed women’s league silverware, the Dubliners have just the player to lead them to the men’s equivalent in Troy Simons.
The American, who joined in January from British Basketball League side Plymouth City Patriots, shot 37 points in the semi-finals to secure Killester’s place in the showdown against Éanna.
“We really started clicking as a unit these last few games and we showed other teams in the league what we can do,” says the man from Pittsburgh.
“I wish I could have been here for the whole season but I feel I came here at the right time.”
The 27-year-old has been lucky with his timing before. Simons escaped Kharkiv just four days before Russia began its invasion of Ukraine in 2022, cutting short his spell with Kharkiv Falcons in the country’s top flight.
The city near the eastern border, which had become his “second home”, was immediately enveloped in a twomonth battle before the invading army was pushed back.
Simons, who still keeps in touch with Kharkiv’s coach, felt fortunate to get out as soon as he did.
“Our president back home, he had made an announcement saying if we were in Ukraine to get out as soon as we could,” he recalls.
“Once we heard that, we talked to the club and we had to get up out of there. It was definitely hectic getting to the airport. Getting the flight was the easy part, it was getting the train tickets that was difficult.”
His team’s home gym was shelled in the September after the invasion, but that damage was repaired and the team continue to play in the country’s second tier as the conflict rumbles on.
“It’s crazy because Ukraine is . . . well . . . was a beautiful place and I loved it. It was definitely like a second home to me. The people were nice. My team was lovely. I definitely fell in love with it.”
His old Kent State team-mate Antonio Williams quickly helped him sort out a new club and Simons joined him in Plymouth within days of his escape.
Having failed to make the BBL playoffs last season, Simons linked up with Killester – again on Williams’ recommendation – in January where he has enjoyed a promising spell.
He has averaged 21 points in the 10 games he’s played so far and he’s been surprised by the standard of the Super League since his arrival in Dublin.
“Most people will probably say it ain’t all that, but I’m going to have to disagree. It’s tough ‘cause every team can win on any day,” he says.
“Every team is tough and plays physical. Hopefully we get to show everybody that on Sunday.”
The northside club will hope Simons’ shooting can lead them to a third win this season against Éanna and, more importantly, a ninth men’s league title.
And if Killester’s women’s team beat Waterford Wildcats in the Champions Trophy final, victory in the men’s decider would seal a unique treble.
Simons will hope to have his say in that.