KJ Simpson

Last updated
KJ Simpson
KJ Simpson buzzer beating three pointer.jpg
Simpson with Colorado in 2024
No. 25–Charlotte Hornets
Position Point guard
League NBA
Personal information
Born (2002-08-08) August 8, 2002 (age 22)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Listed height6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Listed weight189 lb (86 kg)
Career information
High school Chaminade College Prep
(Los Angeles, California)
College Colorado (2021–2024)
NBA draft 2024: 2nd round, 42nd overall pick
Selected by the Charlotte Hornets
Playing career2024–present
Career history
2024–present Charlotte Hornets
2024–present→Greensboro Swarm
Career highlights and awards
Stats at NBA.com  OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg
Stats at Basketball Reference   OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg

Kenneth "KJ" Simpson Jr. (born August 8, 2002) is an American professional basketball player for the Charlotte Hornets of the National Basketball Association (NBA), on a two-way contract with the Greensboro Swarm of the NBA G League. He played college basketball for the Colorado Buffaloes.

Contents

Early life and high school career

Simpson grew up in Panorama City, Los Angeles and attended Chaminade College Preparatory School. [1] He was rated a four-star recruit and initially committed to playing college basketball for Arizona. [2] After Arizona head coach Sean Miller was fired, Simpson requested and was granted a release from his National Letter of Intent and reopened his recruitment. [3] He ultimately signed to play at Colorado. [4]

College career

Simpson was named to the Pac-12 Conference All-Freshman team during his first season playing for the Colorado Buffaloes after averaging 7.4 points per game and also leading the team in total assists and steals. [5] He was named second-team All-Pac-12 after averaging 15.9 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.5 steals per game as a sophomore. [6]

As a junior, Simpson was named to the first-team All-Pac-12, averaging a team-high 19.7 points per game and shooting 43% from three-point range this season. [7] In the first round of the 2024 NCAA tournament against No. 7 Florida, Simpson hit a game-winning jumper with less than two seconds left to secure a 102–100 victory. [8]

Professional career

Charlotte Hornets (2024–present)

On June 27, 2024, Simpson was selected with the 42nd overall pick by the Charlotte Hornets in the 2024 NBA draft. [9] On July 7, 2024, Simpson signed a two-way contract with the Charlotte Hornets. [10]

Career statistics

Legend
  GPGames played  GS Games started MPG Minutes per game
 FG%  Field goal percentage 3P%  3-point field goal percentage FT%  Free throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game APG  Assists per game SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game PPG Points per game Bold Career high

College

YearTeamGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG
2021–22 Colorado 32121.3.377.254.7702.52.7.8.17.4
2022–23 Colorado 292831.8.396.276.8174.33.81.5.215.9
2023–24 Colorado 373735.1.475.434.8765.84.91.6.119.7
Career986629.6.429.347.8344.33.91.3.114.6

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References

  1. ↑ Fattal, Tarek (November 11, 2020). "Signing Day: Chaminade's KJ Simpson, Keith Higgins accomplish childhood dream together". Los Angeles Daily News . Retrieved January 11, 2024.
  2. ↑ Pascoe, Bruce (August 15, 2020). "Four-star guard K.J. Simpson commits to Arizona Wildcats". Arizona Daily Star . Retrieved January 11, 2024.
  3. ↑ Pascoe, Bruce (April 19, 2021). "Arizona signee KJ Simpson to look elsewhere after receiving release from letter-of-intent". Arizona Daily Star . Retrieved January 11, 2024.
  4. ↑ "Four-Star Recruit K.J. Simpson Gives Commitment To CU Buffs". CBS News Colorado . April 28, 2021. Retrieved January 11, 2024.
  5. ↑ Rooney, Pat (October 24, 2022). "CU Buffs' Tristan da Silva, KJ Simpson earn Pac-12 MBB preseason all-conference honors". The Denver Post . Retrieved January 11, 2024.
  6. ↑ Sarles, Jesse (October 26, 2023). "4 basketball players in Colorado make CBS Sports list of nation's best men's college hoopers". CBS News Colorado . Retrieved January 11, 2024.
  7. ↑ camellis (March 12, 2024). "Colorado's KJ Simpson named to first team All Pac-12". ralphiereport.com. Retrieved March 22, 2024.
  8. ↑ Owens, Jason (March 22, 2024). "March Madness: No. 10 Colorado holds for 102-100 thriller over Florida on late KJ Simpson game winner". Yahoo Sports. Retrieved March 22, 2024.
  9. ↑ Williams, Cameron (June 27, 2024). "KJ Simpson's undersized, not undermotivated". The Charlotte Post. Retrieved June 28, 2024.
  10. ↑ "Charlotte Hornets Sign KJ Simpson To Two-Way Contract". NBA.com. July 7, 2024. Retrieved July 8, 2024.
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