NBA
AS
#22

Anfernee Simons

Guard · Philadelphia 76ers · 6'3", 200 lb · Born Jun 8, 1999 · Longwood, Florida · Drafted 24th overall, 2018
2021 Dunk champPrep-to-proScoring guardSharpshooter
NBAPhiladelphia 76ersGuards
Compare:vs Bonavs Barlowvs Brownvs Embiidvs Edwardsvs Maxey
In short

Anfernee Simons is a high-scoring combo guard who joined the Philadelphia 76ers after building his career with the Portland Trail Blazers. Drafted 24th in 2018 directly out of IMG Academy — bypassing college — he developed into a prolific three-point shooter and lead scorer, peaking around 21-22 points a game, and won the 2021 Slam Dunk Contest. Named after Anfernee 'Penny' Hardaway, he brings shot-making and floor spacing off the perimeter.

Matchup model · next gameMedium confidenceTue, Nov 10
vsPhoenix SunsAggressive hedge & help
Proj. points
14.2
range 11.5–16.9
Line 14
52%
to go over
Team win
63%
116–113
Poi 14.2 Lean overReb 2.4 Lean underAss 2.4 Lean underPRA 19 Lean under
Likely on himJordan Goodwin· 80 Perimeter DStrong defender
10+ pts92%15+ pts39%

Model lines Simons at 14.2 pts (range 11.5–16.9) vs a 14 line — a lean to clear it (52%).

Biggest edge: venue — home floor — small boost.

Full matchup breakdown · all markets →
Balladex Matchup Model — modeled from real roster ratings, scoring baselines & defender-matchup history. Schedule, availability & head-to-head samples are illustrative in this prototype; production wires live schedule, injury & player-tracking feeds. Not betting advice.
✦ Ask anything about Simons
The Simons Story — narrated
Tap play to hear his story, told as a 90-second short.
🔊 Prototype uses your browser's built-in voice. Production would use a studio-grade AI narrator.

A prep-to-pro sharpshooter who became a 20-point scorer — perimeter punch for the 76ers.

Named after Penny Hardaway, Simons jumped from IMG Academy straight to the NBA, drafted 24th by Portland in 2018.

🏫 IMG Academy · 24th, 2018Prep-to-pro

He won the 2021 Slam Dunk Contest and broke out as a starter the next season.

🏆 2021 Dunk champBreakout

He became Portland's lead guard, peaking at 22.6 points a game with elite shooting.

22.6 ppg peak~38% 3PT

He brought his shot creation and floor spacing to Philadelphia.

Joined PHIScoring guard
— end of story —
Want the full numbers? Open the breakdown →
PPG
14.2
2025-26
RPG
2.4
per game
APG
2.4
per game
FG%
.440
.395 from three
LIFE

Roots & the rise

A high-scoring combo guard and elite shooter — a prep-to-pro sharpshooter, now with the 76ers.

Anfernee Tyrik Simons was born in Longwood, Florida, and named after former Orlando star Anfernee 'Penny' Hardaway. He starred at Edgewater High School and IMG Academy, then declared for the draft directly from prep — one of the rare high-school-to-pro players of his era — and was selected 24th overall by Portland in 2018.

After a patient start, he broke out in 2021-22 and became Portland's lead guard, peaking at 22.6 points a game in 2023-24 with prolific three-point shooting. He won the 2021 Slam Dunk Contest and hit multiple game-winners before bringing his shot creation and floor spacing to Philadelphia.

Sources: Wikipedia, NBA.com, Basketball-Reference, ESPN.

BEYOND THE GAME

Beyond the game

Simons carries a distinctive origin — named after Penny Hardaway by parents who admired the Magic guard, he later crossed paths with Hardaway at a USA Basketball camp. His path was unusual too: he decommitted from Louisville amid a program scandal and jumped straight from IMG Academy to the NBA, a prep-to-pro leap few players attempt.

His identity is scoring and shooting — a three-level scorer built around a quick-release three-point stroke (near 38% for his career), pull-up shooting, and pick-and-roll playmaking. His swing factors are defense and durability, but as a high-volume shot-maker and floor-spacer he gives Philadelphia perimeter scoring punch off the ball or as a secondary creator.

PERSONALITY

The person

A prolific scoring guard and shooter — quick-release threes, pull-up scoring, and shot creation.

SharpshooterA quick-release, high-volume three-point threat (~38% career).
Shot creatorPull-up scoring and pick-and-roll playmaking as a lead guard.
Prep-to-proJumped straight from IMG Academy to the NBA in 2018.
PLAYER DNA

Archetype & ratings

Archetype
Scoring Guard · Shooter
Temperament
Spark
Leadership
58/100
Scoring64
Playmaking53
Rebounding40
Perimeter D64
Rim protection21
Spacing70
Athleticism70
Clutch65
a scoring guard and shooter signed in 2026
ANALYSIS

What the numbers say

Scoring and spacing

Simons's value is offense — a quick-release, high-volume three-point shooter (career ~38%) who also creates his own shot off the dribble and runs pick-and-roll. On a 76ers team built around Maxey and Embiid, his floor spacing and secondary shot creation give the offense another perimeter threat who can score in bunches, whether on or off the ball.

The two-way question

The knocks on Simons have been defense and size at his position, plus a past injury history (knee, thumb). His offensive game is proven and valuable, but his fit and impact for Philadelphia will hinge on how he complements the stars defensively — as a pure scorer and shooter, the punch is real.

STATS

Season by season

Per game

SeasonGPMINPTSREBASTFG%3P%
2025-264924.514.22.42.4.440.395

Source: Basketball-Reference.

ADVANCED

Advanced & historical

Where he sits in history

2021NBA Slam Dunk Contest champion
PeakAveraged 22.6 points a game in 2023-24 as Portland's lead guard
PathA rare prep-to-pro draftee, selected 24th out of IMG Academy in 2018

Hardware

1×
Slam Dunk Contest champion (2021)
OUTLOOK

Where it's headed

AI-generated · updated July 13, 2026

A high-volume scoring guard and elite shooter — perimeter punch for the 76ers.

Simons gives Philadelphia proven perimeter scoring — quick-release three-point shooting, pull-up creation, and pick-and-roll playmaking. In his late-20s prime, his value centers on offense and floor spacing next to Maxey and Embiid; defense and health are the swing factors.

Three-point shootingElite
Shot creationStrong
Scoring volumeStrong
DefenseDeveloping

Contract

Role
Scoring guard spacing
Peak
22.6 ppg 2023-24
Age
27 prime
Bottom line

A proven three-level scorer and elite shooter with a prep-to-pro story. Perimeter punch and floor spacing for Philadelphia — with defense the piece to round out.

FAQ

Quick answers

How did Anfernee Simons reach the NBA?

He declared directly from IMG Academy, bypassing college, and was drafted 24th overall by the Portland Trail Blazers in 2018 — a rare prep-to-pro path.

Who is Anfernee Simons named after?

Former Orlando Magic star Anfernee 'Penny' Hardaway, whom his parents admired; the two later crossed paths at a USA Basketball camp.

What is Anfernee Simons's best skill?

High-volume three-point shooting — a quick-release sharpshooter who peaked at 22.6 points a game and won the 2021 Slam Dunk Contest.