Workout thrill for Longwood’s Simons
In recent weeks, Anfernee Simons already participated in pre-draft workouts held by the Chicago Bulls, Los Angeles Lakers, Phoenix Suns, Portland Trail Blazers and Utah Jazz.
But a session Saturday with another team felt different than anything that came before.
Born in Longwood and raised in Central Florida, Simons arrived at Amway Center a bit early Saturday for his workout with the Orlando Magic and felt a bit awestruck as he stood inside the Magic’s practice gym.
“It’s really a dream come true, to be honest,” Simons said. “I got here early, so I sat in here and looked around for 10 straight minutes. I couldn’t believe it. It just shows how much hard work I put in and how much I was dedicated to the game.”
Simons, a 6-foot-3¼ guard named after former Magic superstar Anfernee “Penny” Hardaway, insists he has only scratched the surface of his potential. In other words, he has plenty of work left to do, perhaps more work than many other prospects eligible for the 2018 NBA Draft on June 21.
He turned 19 years old Friday. Not only is he one of the younger players in the draft, he’s also one of the least experienced. After he graduated from Edgewater High School in 2017, he enrolled for a postgraduate year at IMG Academy in Bradenton and intended to go to the University of Louisville this year.
But a corruption scandal soon ensnared Louisville, and Simons decommitted from the school. In March, Simons announced he would skip college altogether and enter the draft.
Going straight from prep school to the pros is risky, although he doesn’t see it that way.
“Honestly, I didn’t feel like it was a risk,” Simons said Saturday. “I knew what I was getting myself into, and I knew I was confident that I was going to be able to get to this moment and have my name called June 21st. Playing basketball is no pressure for me.”
ESPN recently ranked Simons the 38th best prospect in the draft and predicted he would be picked by the Atlanta Hawks 34th overall, one spot ahead of the Magic in the second round.
On Saturday, Simons worked out alongside guard Braian Angola-Rodas of FSU, guard Trae BellHaynes of Vermont, power forward Drew Eubanks of Oregon State, power forward Matur Maker of Mississauga Prep and guard Darius Thompson of Western Kentucky.
Simons admitted he felt a bit nervous.
With Magic President of Basketball Operations Jeff Weltman, GM John Hammond, coach Steve Clifford and other members of the Magic hierarchy looking on, Simons said he put too much oomph behind his first shot and launched an airball.
He settled down after that.
“I think it went tremendous,” Simons said. “I think I played well and I showed them everything I can do. I showed them that I’m more of a player than people think I am.”
He said he has upcoming workouts scheduled with the New York Knicks, Cleveland Cavaliers, Memphis Grizzlies and Milwaukee Bucks.
On Saturday, however, he got to dream about playing for his hometown team.
“That would mean everything, honestly,” Simons said. “That would be honestly a dream come true to be able to come here. I feel like the whole city would be welcoming of me because I’m from here and I know everything about the city. That’s a dream come true, honestly. I couldn’t even describe that in words.”