Anfernee Simons Reflects on Mentorship from CJ McCollum
Anfernee Simons appreciates the opportunity to demonstrate the growth he gained from mentor CJ McCollum, who played an important role in his development.
Unconventional Path to the NBA
After finishing high school, Simons chose not to attend college. Instead, he trained for a postgraduate year at IMG Academy in Florida. This less visible path added an element of mystery, which likely contributed to him being selected 24th overall by the Portland Trail Blazers in the 2018 NBA Draft.
Learning from Two Elite Backcourt Players
In Portland, Simons joined a backcourt alongside Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum, both pivotal mentors in his career. Before a game against McCollum's Washington Wizards at TD Garden, Simons discussed the valuable balance he gained from McCollum’s style.
“As much as, obviously, everybody talks about my mentorship with Dame, obviously, and CJ is also a big part of my development, especially as a young player,” said Simons. “Just giving that, like kind of balance of both play styles, and so just his shiftiness and his ability to just get to the spots he want to get to, and his craftiness around the rim. I think those are things that I took the most from CJ."
"He's helped me tremendously throughout my career: how to play even when he might not be the most athletic, the fastest, and being able to be effective at the same time. So, I credit him for a lot as well as Dame."
Simons' Growth and Credit
- Learned balance in playing styles from both mentors.
- Adopted McCollum’s skill in navigating the court and scoring.
- Developed effectiveness despite not being the fastest or most athletic.
Anfernee Simons values the guidance from both CJ McCollum and Damian Lillard, which helped shape his success as a versatile player.
Summary: Anfernee Simons credits CJ McCollum’s mentorship for teaching him a balanced, crafty approach on the court that complements the influence of Damian Lillard, fueling his growth as a young NBA player.