Anfernee Simons
Anfernee Simons is a young, athletic combo guard who is emerging as a star for the Portland Trail Blazers. Still just 23 years old, Simons has made a leap in 2022-2023, averaging over 22 points per game and showcasing his dynamic scoring ability that draws comparisons to franchise legend Clyde Drexler.
Player Profile:
Name: Anfernee Simons
Team: Portland Trail Blazers
Position: SG/PG
Number: 1
Weight: (88kg)
Height: 6’3″ (1.91m)
Born On (age): June 8, 1999 (24 years)
Details of Anfernee Simons’ Contract and Salary
Anfernee Simons signed a 4-year, $100 million contract extension with the Portland Trail Blazers in July 2022. This contract will pay him an average annual salary of $25 million through the 2025-26 season.
Key details of Anfernee Simons’ contract:
- 2022-23: $17.2 million
- 2023-24: $27.5 million
- 2024-25: $30.9 million
- 2025-26: $31.6 million
Securing Simons to this long-term deal was a priority for Portland after his breakout 2021-22 season. Still just 23 years old, the team believes his best basketball is ahead of him.
Anfernee Simons Stats (2023-2024)
In the 2022-23 season so far, Anfernee Simons is averaging 22.3 points, 2.5 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game while shooting 44.3% from the field and 38.7% from 3-point range.
Key stats for Anfernee Simons this season:
- PPG: 22.3
- RPG: 2.5
- APG: 4.1
- FG%: 44.3%
- 3P%: 38.7%
With Damian Lillard missing extended time this season due to injury, Simons has stepped up offensively and is having a career-best year. His scoring production has increased to All Star-type numbers so far.
Don’t forget to read about: Jordan Clarkson Stats
Dimensions and Athletic Attributes of Anfernee Simons: Height, Weight, Wingspan, and Vertical Leap
Anfernee Simons has excellent size and athleticism for an NBA guard:
- Height: 6’3″
- Weight: 181 lbs
- Wingspan: 6’9″
- Vertical Leap: 41.5″ max reach
His near 6’10” wingspan combined with tremendous leaping ability makes him an intriguing physical talent. He has the versatility to play both backcourt positions effectively.
Anfernee Simons College / Overseas / Pre-NBA Career
Unlike most NBA players, Anfernee Simons did not play college basketball and instead went straight to the NBA out of high school. He committed to play at Louisville but ultimately opted to enter the 2018 NBA Draft after a postgraduate year at IMG Academy.
NBA Draft Selection of Anfernee Simons
Anfernee Simons was selected by the Portland Trail Blazers with the 24th overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft. He was the 3rd youngest player ever drafted at 19 years old.
Key NBA Draft facts:
- Draft year: 2018
- Draft pick: #24 overall
- Draft team: Portland Trail Blazers
Portland saw major upside and potential in the young, athletic combo guard. So far that evaluation has proven correct, as Simons has developed into a crucial part of their future core.
Anfernee Simons Personal Bio and Other Interesting Facts
Some personal background and interesting facts about Anfernee Simons:
- Born on June 8, 1999 in Altamonte Springs, Florida
- Both parents played basketball at Indian Hills CC in Iowa
- Originally committed to University of Louisville before entering draft
- Huge anime fan and crafted his game partly after the Japanese manga Slam Dunk
- Close relationship with former teammate Damian Lillard who has mentored him
- Devout Christian who credits his faith for his success
- Active in the community and social justice reform efforts in Portland
Other Portland Trail Blazers Players
As Anfernee Simons takes on a bigger role for the franchise, some other key Portland Trail Blazers players alongside him include:
- Damian Lillard: 6x All Star and face of the franchise; elite PG when healthy
- Jusuf Nurkic: Skilled center who excels at passing and scoring around the rim
- Jerami Grant: Athletic power forward acquired in 2022 to bolster front court
- Josh Hart: Versatile wing who contributes rebounding, defense, hustle plays
- Shaedon Sharpe: Promising rookie guard selected 7th in 2022 NBA Draft
This blend of talented veterans and youth sets up the Trail Blazers well to build around Simons in the years ahead.
Alternative NBA Shooting Guards/Point Guards
How does Anfernee Simons compare to some of the NBA’s top shooting guards and point guards? He still has room to grow but has shown flashes of stardom, especially early this 2022-23 season.
- NBA SGs: Trails behind stars like Paul George, Bradley Beal and Zach Lavine for now but trending upward fast
- NBA PGs: Not yet near superstars like Steph Curry and Luka Doncic but has All Star potential in this mold with further development
At age 23 and seemingly just scratching the surface of his talent, Anfernee Simons has an extremely bright future as a franchise cornerstone for the Portland Trail Blazers. This analysis only covers the outset of what he could become in the NBA.
Also read about the one of the great NBA player: Darius Garland Stats
FAQ’s
Who is number 1 on the Trail Blazers?
Damian Lillard wears number 0, but he is considered the number one option and face of the franchise for the Portland Trail Blazers.
Is Anfernee Simons named after Penny?
Yes, Anfernee Simons was named after former NBA star Anfernee “Penny” Hardaway by his father who was a big fan.
How tall is Simons?
Anfernee Simons is listed at 6 feet 3 inches tall. He has a 6 foot 9 inch wingspan which is unusually long for his height.
What is the Portland Trail Blazers current roster?
The current 2022-2023 Portland Trail Blazers roster is:
- Damian Lillard
- Anfernee Simons
- Jerami Grant
- Jusuf Nurkic
- Josh Hart
- Shaedon Sharpe
- Drew Eubanks
- Gary Payton II
- Nassir Little
- Justise Winslow
- Trendon Watford
- Greg Brown III
- Keon Johnson