Kobi Simmons still trying to carve out role, prove he belongs with Grizzlies

LAS VEGAS — Kobi Simmons got his first dose of what it’s like to play in the NBA last season with the Memphis Grizzlies, and it’s surprising the former Wildcat didn’t pack on a few extra pounds to his 6-foot-5 frame.

“Pretty sure everyone knows about the barbecue,” Simmons said. “It’s a quiet city. I’m from Atlanta. It’s very different from Atlanta. There’s not as much going on in Memphis.”

Simmons was one of four undrafted Wildcats over the last two years that declared for the NBA Draft as an underclassmen. Chance Comanche joined him in 2017, before Rawle Alkins and Allonzo Trier opted to leave UA early this year.

Simmons had arguably the most active rookie year in 2018 among former Wildcats, outside of Lauri Markkanen. Simmons played in 32 games for the Grizzlies.

Kadeem Allen was the Boston Celtics’ second-round draft pick in 2017 and signed a two-way contract similar to Simmons’ deal, but only appeared in 18 games and spent most of the year playing for the Maine Red Claws of the G League.

Simmons played most of the season in the G League with the Memphis Hustle, but saw more opportunities as opposed to Allen considering the Celtics were the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference during the regular season. The Grizzlies went 22-60, the franchise’s worst record in a decade.

Comanche was unable to break through in the NBA and played the entire season with the Hustle, eventually joining the Orlando Magic’s summer league team this year.

In Simmons’ final stretch with the Grizzlies, he scored in double figures six times with his most notable performance coming in April when he contributed 20 points on 7-of-10 shooting with seven assists. He finished the season averaging 6.1 points and 2.1 assists per game. Those numbers won’t raise any eyebrows, but Simmons’ focus was to “play fast” and work with teammates to show he’s capable of playing in the NBA.

“I was just showing everyone that I belong in the league,” Simmons said. “There’s a lot of doubters out there.”

Kobi Simmons on fitting in with the Grizzlies, playing in the NBA last season, and living in Memphis: pic.twitter.com/HfLulOr0hg

— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) July 11, 2018

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Much like at Arizona, Simmons played both point guard and shooting guard last season and has the same role for the Grizzlies this year in NBA Summer League. He got a head start to summer league play as the Grizzlies had three games in Salt Lake City last week before heading to Las Vegas with the rest of the league, and Simmons was the starting point guard.

“I’m a combo. That’s why I play both, it doesn’t matter,” Simmons said. “I’m just trying to show everyone what I can do, make a name for myself and just coming out being aggressive every single game. … I’m just using my skills around people more stronger and physical than me. I’m quicker than a lot of people so using that to get to my spots is my advantage.”

Simmons’ best performance came in the first summer league game in Salt Lake City, where he dropped 21 points on 62 percent shooting along with three steals against No. 5 overall pick Trae Young and the Atlanta Hawks. Against the Jazz and former Duke standout Grayson Allen, Simmons scored 20 points as the primary ball handler.

Simmons was often plugged in as the Grizzlies’ shooting guard in Las Vegas, which requires more action off the ball.

“He’s played more point guard for us and now we’re trying to get him more off the ball and put him in a position to use his speed and score downhill,” Grizzlies summer league coach Greg Buckner said.

In terms of scoring, Simmons hasn’t produced in Las Vegas as much as he did in Salt Lake City, averaging 12.6 points and over three turnovers per game. But Buckner still recognized his ability and what Simmons can provide for Memphis going into tournament play.

“He played excellent in Salt Lake City, for sure,” Buckner said. “He can play better now and we need him to play better especially heading into the tournament, but right now he’s thinking too much.

“He’s got the talent to be a special player, especially out here in summer league, but he’s just gotta play. His speed, his toughness, his grit, he’s one of those long guys that can get by anybody.”

Simmons and the Grizzlies finished summer league play with a 1-2 record. The tournament begins Wednesday.