Anfernee Simons, a fifth-year high school player who made news this week by forgoing his NCAA eligibility in signing with an agent and entering the NBA draft, has informed officials from the Nike Hoop Summit and Jordan Brand Classic that he will be withdrawing from both events.
The move comes as somewhat of a surprise, as Simons has yet to be seen by all NBA decision-makers. He did not play particularly well in some of the high school events in which he was widely evaluated by NBA scouts as a member of Florida's IMG Academy. Simons scored just 10 points in a season-ending loss to Tilton School (New Hampshire) in the National Prep Championship quarterfinals earlier this month.
He will now be relying on the strength of his high school and AAU film, as well as private workouts at NBA team facilities, where executives will attempt to reconcile his slight 180-pound frame and lack of experience with his extremely high talent level.
Simons is an explosive athlete who plays above the rim with incredible ease, and he has shot 42 percent from 3-point range on 440 attempts recorded in 85 games throughout his career.
He is currently the No. 23 player in the latest ESPN Top 100 prospect rankings.
