Anfernee Simons: The Trailblazer Who Rewrote the Rules  From High School Phenom to Portland’s Pulsating Heart

Anfernee Tyrik Simons isn’t just a dynamic guard for the Portland Trail Blazers; he’s a living testament to defying convention and seizing opportunity in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Born June 8, 1999, his journey from Edgewater High School in Orlando, Florida, to NBA stardom is a captivating saga of talent, resilience, and a groundbreaking leap of faith.

Anfernee Simons has averaged 24.0 PPG on 64.0% TS over his last 3 games (all Ws) ⬇️

Major bucket, starting to cook pic.twitter.com/VXQA9yjIvB

— Brett Usher (@UsherNBA) January 25, 2025

The Unconventional Path: Bypassing College for the Big League
Simons’ high school career was marked by explosive talent and strategic maneuvering. After averaging 17.8 points and 4.6 assists as a sophomore at Edgewater, a stint at powerhouse Montverde Academy saw him return to Edgewater. There, he dominated his senior year (2017), posting 23.8 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game. Crucially, he reclassified to the Class of 2018, opting for a postgraduate year at the prestigious IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, instead of immediate college.

A five-star recruit ranked seventh nationally by 247Sports.com, Simons initially committed to the University of Louisville. However, the program’s involvement in the 2017–18 NCAA Division I men’s basketball corruption scandal led him to decommit. Eyeing schools like South Carolina, NC State, Tennessee, and Florida, he made a seismic decision in January 2018: bypass college entirely and declare for the 2018 NBA draft (without an agent). By March 2018, he confirmed his historic choice, becoming the first American player drafted directly out of high school since the NBA’s age restriction rules began in 2005. Ranked 19th by ESPN, he earned an invite to the pivotal 2018 NBA Draft Combine.

Portland’s Prize: Rising Star in Rip City
The Portland Trail Blazers recognized his unique potential, selecting him 24th overall in the 2018 NBA draft. Signed on July 2, 2018, Simons joined rare company as only the third high school player drafted since 2015 (after Thon Maker and Satnam Singh Bhamara).

Anfernee Simons scoring 22 points in 8 minutes. #demonhome #DifferentHere pic.twitter.com/5tHQOOyzww

— mr.perfect 🍀 (@emswym) June 24, 2025

His development was deliberate:

• Early Assignments: Gained experience with assignments to the Agua Caliente Clippers in the NBA G League (January 2019).

• Breakout Rookie Moment: On April 10, 2019, with Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum resting, Simons made his first career start against the Sacramento Kings. He exploded for career highs: 37 points, 6 rebounds, and 9 assists, becoming the first Trail Blazers rookie since Lillard to score 30+ points.

• Slam Dunk Glory: Captured the 2021 NBA Slam Dunk Contest title during the All-Star Game halftime with high-flying theatrics, including his memorable (though unsuccessful) attempt to kiss the rim.

Evolution into a Franchise Cornerstone
Simons’ ascent continued dramatically:

• Emotional Career High: On January 3, 2022, grieving his grandfather’s passing, Simons poured in a then career-high 43 points (including nine three-pointers) and 7 assists in a win over the Atlanta Hawks.

• Contract Commitment: His burgeoning talent was rewarded on July 6, 2022, signing a four-year, $100 million contract extension with Portland.

• Clutch Performer: Hit a game-winning floater in overtime against the Phoenix Suns (October 21, 2022).

• New Career High: Scored 45 points in a victory over the Utah Jazz (December 3, 2022).

• Leading the Charge: Showcased his ability to carry the offense, like a 33-point performance fueling a comeback win over the Washington Wizards (February 3, 2023).

• Overcoming Adversity: Suffered a torn UCL in his right thumb against the Los Angeles Clippers (October 25, 2023), sidelining him for 4-6 weeks.

• Signature Moment: Delivered a clutch double-double and hit a dramatic game-winning buzzer-beater against the Denver Nuggets (December 19, 2024), cementing his status as a go-to scorer.

Roots and Recognition: The “Penny” Connection
Simons’ name carries NBA legacy. His parents, Charles and Tameka, named him Anfernee after Orlando Magic legend Penny Hardaway, a testament to their fandom. This connection came full circle when Hardaway himself coached Simons during a Team USA Basketball training camp.

Anfernee Simons: Portland’s Electrifying Future
From his groundbreaking leap from IMG Academy to the NBA draft, through G League assignments, a Slam Dunk Championship, and evolving into a $100 million franchise cornerstone, Anfernee Simons embodies relentless growth. Overcoming injuries like patellar tendinopathy (2022) and the torn UCL (2023), his clutch gene and explosive scoring ability – punctuated by moments like the Nuggets buzzer-beater – solidify him as the electrifying heartbeat of the Portland Trail Blazers’ future. His story is far from finished, but his impact, marked by breaking barriers and hitting big shots, is already indelible.

Raushan Jha

My name is Raushan Kumar Jha i am a professional blogger, content strategist, and SEO expert. I write about famous personalities, health, fitness, and finance on WorldsLegends.com. With six years of experience and a commerce background, crafts engaging, well-researched content that ranks higher and captivates audiences.