Desmond Simmons Transfers to Saint Mary’s
By Josh Horton
Dec 2, 2012; Seattle, WA, USA; Washington Huskies guard C.J. Wilcox (23) and forward Desmond Simmons (30) walk off the court after defeating the Cal State Fullerton Titans at Alaska Airlines Arena. Washington defeated Cal State 74-72. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports
Desmond Simmons, a former University of Washington forward, will transfer to Saint Mary’s for his final season of eligibility, according to Jon Rothstein of CBS Sports. It is the second transfer player the Gaels have landed in four days, with the first being Joe Rahon from Boston College.
Simmons will graduate this spring and will be eligible to play immediately.
With Beau Levesque graduating, the Gaels needed an extra punch at the power forward position. Simmons, alongside Brad Waldow, will provide energy and stability to the Saint Mary’s front court. Dane Pineau and incoming freshmen Evan Fitzner and Jock Londale will be key off the bench as well.
While at UW, Simmons did not put up gaudy statistics, but contributed with his hustle and energy. Statistically, his best season in 2012-2013, where the 6-foot-7 power forward averaged 4.9 points and 6.5 rebounds as a sophomores. In the
2013-2014 season, Simmons averaged 5.2 points – his best scoring season – and 4.6 rebounds.
Simmons is a former standout at Salesian high school in Richmond, Calif., where he was a first team all-state selection in 2010. In 2009 and 2010, Simmons was an all-East Bay player of the year and Bay Shore Athletic League Most Valuable Player.
Richmond, Calif. is only about a 30 minute drive to Moraga, so Simmons will be relatively close to home for his senior season. Jim Shaw, who is a former assistant at the University of Washington and current assistant on Randy Bennett’s staff, is suspected to be a major factor into Simmons decision to come to Saint Mary’s.