{"id":80343,"date":"2024-06-05T09:00:26","date_gmt":"2024-06-05T13:00:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=80343"},"modified":"2024-06-04T20:30:45","modified_gmt":"2024-06-05T00:30:45","slug":"kj-simpson-2024-nba-draft-profile","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2024\/06\/05\/kj-simpson-2024-nba-draft-profile\/","title":{"rendered":"KJ Simpson 2024 NBA Draft Profile"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sports-reference.com\/cbb\/players\/kj-simpson-1.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">KJ Simpson<\/a> is one of the most intriguing and exciting guards in this year&#8217;s NBA draft. Simpson&#8217;s incredible March Madness run shot him up draft boards. The Colorado product has a well-rounded skill set that could allow him to make an instant impact in the NBA. Let&#8217;s analyze Simpson&#8217;s game and figure out his place in this draft class.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>KJ Simpson 2024 NBA Draft Profile<\/h2>\n<h3><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">College Career\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2024\/06\/03\/magic-colorado-standout-headlines-predraft-workouts\/\" target=\"_self\">Simpson<\/a> spent his entire college career playing for the Colorado Buffaloes. He quickly ascended to become one of the top players in the Pac-12. As a freshman <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Simpson<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> averaged 7.4 points, 2.5 rebounds, 2.7 assists on .438, .254, and<\/span> <span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">.770 shooting splits. Simpson was a key reserve on a 21-12 Colorado team <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">and<\/span> <span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">he <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">was<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> named<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> to the Pac-12 All-Freshman team. As a sophomore <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Simpson<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> took on the starting role and elevated his game. He averaged 15.9 points, 4.3 rebounds, and<\/span> <span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">3.8 assists on .457, .276, and<\/span> <span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">.817 shooting splits. This massive scoring jump and all-around improvement established Simpson as one of the elite guards in the Pac-12. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">As a result, Simpson <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">was named<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> to the All-Pac 12 team. In his junior season, Simpson <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">exploded <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">averaging<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> 19.7 points, 5.8 rebounds, 4.9 <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">assists,<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> on .475, .434, and<\/span> <span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">.876 shooting splits. <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">This\u00a0<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">was the most team success of <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Simpson\u2019s<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> college career <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Colorado<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> went 26-11 and earned the <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">10<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> seed in the NCAA tournament. <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Simpson was surrounded by a seasoned core of consensus <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2024\/05\/06\/tristan-da-silva-2024-nba-draft-profile\/\" target=\"_self\">first-round pick<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sports-reference.com\/cbb\/players\/tristan-dasilva-1.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Tristan Da <\/a><\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sports-reference.com\/cbb\/players\/tristan-dasilva-1.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Silva<\/a>,<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> and <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2024\/05\/28\/orange-transfer-eddie-lampkin-jr-expanding-his-game\/\" target=\"_self\">versatile<\/a> big man <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sports-reference.com\/cbb\/players\/eddie-lampkinjr-1.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Eddie Lampkin<\/a><\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">.<\/span> <span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Along<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> with<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2024\/05\/12\/nba-mock-draft-4-0-post-draft-lottery\/\" target=\"_self\"> projected lottery pick<\/a> and high-upside freshman wing <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sports-reference.com\/cbb\/players\/cody-williams-2.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Cody Williams<\/a>. Colorado beat Boise State in their play-in game before upsetting Florida in a 102-100 thriller. Notably, Simpson hit a mid-range jumper to secure the win for Colorado. They eventually fell to Marquette in a close four-point game. However, Simpson was brilliant <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">averaging<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> 20.7 points,<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> 7 <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">rebounds, and 5.3 assists in the tournament.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Full ending, game winner from Colorado&#039;s wild first-round win over Florida\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/3MUUifK36ao?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h3><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Strengths<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Simpson is a creative scorer and smooth playmaker who frequently operates out of the pick-n-roll. He is a <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">pinpoint-<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">accurate passer capable of making a variety of passes. Simpson is a high-level shot-creator who always takes what the defense gives him. <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">This skill set allows Simpson to score in <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">a multitude of<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> ways <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">including<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> off-the-dribble,<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> catch-and-shoot<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">, <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">at the rim.<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> Simpson has lightning-quick speed <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">which<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> he uses <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">to consistently pressure the rim<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">. He is also a <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">difficult\u00a0<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">shotmaker who hit <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">tons of<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> timely shots for Colorado. Simpson pairs this with a tight handle <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">which<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> benefits him as both a playmaker and scorer. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Impressively <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Simpson<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> is an excellent rebounder for his size.\u00a0 He is also a high-effort defender who plays the passing lanes well; he notably averaged 1.8 steals per game for his college career. <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Simpson\u2019s<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> knack for rebounding and hustle plays might allow <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">for<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> him to get consistent minutes. He is also an elite off-ball player capable of cutting and shooting off screens. Simpson <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">simply<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> does all of the little things right. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The constant improvement Simpson displayed throughout college will also make NBA teams optimistic about how his game translates. Aside from the raw scoring jump and massively improved shooting, <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Simpson&#8217;s<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> playmaking improved each year. From his freshman to junior year, <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Simpson\u2019s<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> turnover percentage dropped from 22 to 11.9 <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">while<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> his assist percentage improved from 25.2 to 27.1. <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">At the combine,<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> Simpson had the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nba.com\/stats\/draft\/combine-strength-agility?dir=A&amp;sort=LANE_AGILITY_TIME\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">fastest<\/a> lane agility time and posted a 40-inch <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nba.com\/stats\/draft\/combine-strength-agility?dir=D&amp;sort=MAX_VERTICAL_LEAP\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">vertical<\/a>.<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> While <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">he\u2019s<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> not a traditional jump out of the gym athlete <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Simspson\u2019s<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> combination of speed and bounce will serve him well at the next level.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Weaknesses\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">While <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">he\u2019s<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> a high-energy defender at 6&#8217;0&#8221; and 185 pounds<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0Simpson will constantly be targeted defensively. He has a high basketball IQ and is very agile. <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">If these skills can <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">translate<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> Simpson could <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">end up being<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> a serviceable NBA defender.\u00a0<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">However, this remains a massive question mark given <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Simpson\u2019s<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> size. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Despite being a 43 percent three-point shooter as a junior, <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Simpson&#8217;s<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> shooting is <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">concerning<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> given his first two seasons. He shot 27 percent as a sophomore and 25 percent in his <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">freshman<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> year. <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Simpson\u2019s<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> shot translating is a must for a successful career. <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">There\u2019s<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> limited to no space in the NBA for an undersized point guard who struggles to shoot. Simpson is <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">certainly<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> a skilled passer <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">but<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> he also makes plenty of risky passes. <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">At the NBA level <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Simpson<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> will have to<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> be more of a cautious facilitator<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">.<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> As a<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a021-year-old junior <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Simpson<\/span> <span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">doesn\u2019t\u00a0<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">have the same upside as some <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">of the<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> higher-end prospects.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">NBA Comparison\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">While <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">it\u2019s<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> not a perfect comparison, a <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">smaller<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> point guard version of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/p\/podzibr01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Brandin Podziemski<\/a> is fitting. Both Simpson and Podz are well-rounded guards with a knack for rebounding. Additionally, Simpson&#8217;s shifty speed and playmaking abilities are similar to that of<a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/s\/schrode01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"> Dennis Schroder<\/a>. These two players are vastly different however, shades of Simpson&#8217;s game can be found in both. It&#8217;s unclear if Simpson will even reach this level of production. Nevertheless, the play styles between Simpson and these players are quite similar.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">2024 Draft Projection\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Early-second round.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>KJ Simpson is one of the most intriguing and exciting guards in this year&#8217;s NBA draft. Simpson&#8217;s incredible March Madness run shot him up draft boards. The Colorado product has a well-rounded skill set that could allow him to make an instant impact in the NBA. Let&#8217;s analyze Simpson&#8217;s game and figure out his place [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4779,"featured_media":80348,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"1","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[62,1608,773,556],"tags":[49040,2876,49279,98,1566],"class_list":["post-80343","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-nba","category-basketball","category-college-basketball","category-nba-draft","tag-2024-nba-draft","tag-colorado-buffaloes","tag-kj-simpson","tag-nba-draft","tag-draft-profile"],"modified_by":"Eamon Cassels, Editor","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/80343","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4779"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=80343"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/80343\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/80348"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=80343"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=80343"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=80343"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}