SIMMS LIKE OLD TIMES

AAMIR SIMMS ’17 REFLECTS ON HOOPS JOURNEY

By John Holt ‘06

When Aamir Simms revisits May 27, 2017, several thoughts cross his mind. The joy of jumping in the Blue Ridge School lake alongside his ‘17 Baron brothers. The accomplished feeling being named the recipient of both the John L. Trimmer Citizenship Award and the Frank Pendleton Athletic Award. The fulfillment of receiving his high school diploma from Headmaster Trip Darrin.

During Simms’ three years in St. George, numerous he achieved many feats. Possessing a relentless drive for excellence, he was awarded over a dozen NCAA Division I basketball scholarship offers, captured two Virginia Independent Schools Athletic Association (VISAA) Division II basketball state championships (2015 & 2017), and was also recognized as the 2017 Central Virginia Boys Basketball Player of the Year and 2017 VISAA Division II State Player of the Year.

Yet when conversing with others about what stands out most from Simms’ time at BRS, it has nothing to do with the skills he presented on the court, but rather his staying true to being himself.

As English teacher Dan Dunsmore shared in a social media post during Simms’ senior year, “What I want everyone to know about this guy has nothing to do with his height or his basketball skills. From day one, he has been one of the funniest, most kind, most friendly, most respectful, hardestworking students I’ve ever taught. He has even stretched himself by being a member of our mountain biking team last spring and this fall (giant on a bicycle). It is for these reasons we’ll miss Aamir on our campus next year. Much respect, young man.”

MODEL STUDENT-ATHLETE

Following Simms’ graduation from Blue Ridge, he embarked on his next chapter at Clemson University. There, over the course of the next four years, he would make a name for himself both on and off the court.

On the hardwood, he led Clemson to a pair of NCAA Tournaments, was twice an All-Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) player and famously led the Tigers to their first-ever win at North Carolina in 2020 (ending a 0-59 streak in Chapel Hill).

Ranking the win over UNC as his top collegiate moment, in that game, Simms led Clemson in five statistical categories (points, rebounds, assists, blocks and steals), and knocked down a three-pointer with 3.5 seconds left in regulation to send the game into overtime. The clutch shot silenced 20,000-plus fans and will forever be discussed amongst the Clemson faithful in the future years and generations to come.

Three days later, another highlight occurred when Simms produced a career-high 25 points to go along with nine rebounds and five assists in a Clemson 79-72 upset win over No. 3 Duke.

Following the game, former Duke Head Coach and Hall of Famer Mike Krzyzewski said, “Simms was spectacular tonight in how he controlled the game.”

In the classroom, Simms became a three-time All-ACC Academic Basketball team member and as a senior, was honored as Clemson’s second-ever Skip Prosser Award Winner – given to the ACC’s top scholar-athlete in men’s basketball.

“Aamir is a tremendous student-athlete and a great ambassador for not only our basketball program, but for Clemson University,” Clemson Head Coach Brad Brownell said at the time of Simms’ distinguished recognition. “It’s been a pleasure to witness his evolution as a player on the court and student in the classroom these last four years. To earn the ACC Skip Prosser ScholarAthlete Award is such a high honor. Coach Prosser was an outstanding teacher and coach and there isn’t a better representative for this award than Aamir Simms.”

Milestone Moment

On May 6, 2021 – nearly four years to the day of his Blue Ridge graduation –Simms joined his older sister, Taijaina, in becoming the second member of his family to ever receive a college degree. For a number of reasons, he described the triumph as the greatest thing he’s ever done.

“Being African American alone sets the odds against you, the moment you take your first breath,” Simms said. “Coming from New Jersey, from Essex County, as an inner-city kid and adjusting to moving down south for my adolescent years, then private school, then Clemson, the challenges always proved greater than the reality of the world I live in as a black man!”

Simms stated that his mother, Lateasha Jones, constantly reminded him growing up that individual basketball accolades didn’t matter. What did matter, however, was Aamir earning his degree.

“Getting my degree simply put me on the right side of the statistics of my people and also left the doors open for more to follow,” Simms said.

Clemson was Simms’ only official college visit during high school, and he lists no regrets on his decision in becoming a Tiger today.

Something that made an impact from his visit was Brownell and his coaching staff informing him that if he committed to the Tigers, he would become an All-ACC player by his junior year. In 2019-20, Simms’ junior season, he was named a Third Team All-ACC selection.

“They kept to their word,” Simms said.

Advancing To The Professional Ranks

After going undrafted in the 2021 NBA Draft, Simms joined the New York Knicks’ Summer League squad before spending his first professional season as a member of the Knicks’ G League affiliate, Westchester Knicks.

Following a solid rookie campaign, he felt his best path forward was to take his talents overseas. In July, he signed with Paris Basketball of the National Basketball League (LNB) Pro A. Former NBA assistant coach Will Weaver is leading the French capital’s club as its head coach, while the roster features five American players, including 2012 NBA Slam Dunk Contest champion Jeremy Evans.

“Living here has been a dream come true for my lifestyle and I can’t thank God, my agents, and my team enough for this opportunity,” Simms said. “The fans are energetic and the atmosphere each game is electric, you really get to connect with the fans on a surface level and I truly appreciate that!”

While residing in another country has been a new and beneficial experience, there also have been challenges. Nowadays, Simms is the furthest he’s ever been from family, friends and Luna, his American pit bull terrier who he describes as “the most beautiful creature this world has given us.” In addition, he’s had to learn a new language, adapt to a different time zone, currency, culture, lifestyle and more.

“There have been times where I felt as though I was alone in this process and turned to my faith to get me up,” Simms said. “I would not be having this conversation if I didn’t put God at the forefront on a daily basis! My faith and belief in HIM has led me to this point and platform where I am today! I have not always had the strongest faith, but that’s the beauty in my relationship with God, having that opportunity, that same 24 hours every day to strengthen it and have a want for it!”

CONTINUED EVOLUTION & GROWTH

At just 23 years old, Simms has clearly experienced more than most his age.

There have been highs and lows, fans and critics, believers and doubters.

Yet through it all, he’s tried to remain the same funny, driven and unique soul those closest to him know.

“I feel as though I bring a different type of energy to whatever surrounding I’m in,” Simms said. “I like to think outside the box, simply be myself and explore different avenues than my peers.”

Those viewpoints made Simms the perfect fit as a Blue Ridge School student and have made him an acclaimed Baron alum today.

As his first professional year overseas continues, whenever times get difficult, he thinks back to something Brownell, his college coach, regularly emphasized.

“Embrace the suck,” Simms said. “Meaning when life gets tough, instead of sulking and complaining about the situation, embrace the adversity and it will bring the best out of you.”

Simms’ life journey has defined that mantra, and the example he’s displayed in maximizing his potential couldn’t make the Blue Ridge School family prouder.

“It’s about love,” Simms said in 2017. “It’s about caring for one another. That’s the biggest thing I learned here.”

John Holt ’06 is the Public Relations & Content Writer at Good Shepherd Episcopal School in Dallas, Texas. He can be reached at jlholt3240@gmail.com.