After testing well during individual drills, then putting together a productive outing at the first scrimmage, KJ Simpson says he was offered a chance to rest on his laurels.
This was at the NBA Draft combine. No one would have criticized Simpson for holding steady with what he’d already showed. But that’s not the sort of attitude that paved the way for his remarkable 2023-24 season at Colorado.
“After the first day (at the combine), when I did good, they gave me the choice to sit out,” Simpson said earlier this week. “I would never sit out. I love playing basketball. I love the competitive aspect of it. At the end of the day, I’m not really too worried about where I fall in the draft. I just like playing basketball.”
Simpson will continue playing basketball with the Charlotte Hornets, who selected the former CU guard in the second round of the NBA draft on Thursday.
Simpson, selected No. 42 overall, gives the Buffs program three picks in the same draft for the first time since 1981, although the highest CU selection in that ‘81 draft was at No. 96. The selection of Cody Williams and Tristan da Silva in Wednesday’s first round marked the first time CU boasted multiple draft picks since the NBA trimmed the draft to two rounds beginning in 1989.
Following Williams and da Silva on Wednesday, Simpson became the 10th CU draft pick in 14 years under head coach Tad Boyle.
Simpson emerged as one of the most improved players in college basketball last season, averaging 19.8 points, 5.8 rebounds and 4.9 assists while starting all 37 games for a CU team that set a program record with 26 wins and won a pair of games in the NCAA Tournament.
Simpson set CU season records for minutes played (1,298) and free throw percentage (87.6). He ranked second in single-season points (728) and assists (181), needing just one more in each category to move into ties for second. Simpson’s 43.4 3-point percentage ranks fourth among CU’s season leaders, and he finished his three-year collegiate career ranked 15th on the Buffs’ all-time scoring list (1,424) and ninth in career assists (378). Simpson also is tied for 11th all-time at CU in made 3-pointers (133) and 13th in steals (129).
At the outset of the 2023-24 season, Simpson remained a question mark following a significant second-half slump to his sophomore season spurred by injury and illness. After producing 21 20-point scoring efforts and highlighting an impressive postseason run with a buzzer-beating baseline jumper for the win against Florida in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, Simpson will forever be linked to the greatest basketball draft class in CU history.
“It’s extremely special to get to join my name with Cody Williams and Tristan da Silva,” Simpson said. “Those guys, they deserve everything they’ve got coming their way. To be making history with them and representing CU still, it means a lot. It’s crazy to think that’s possible, that there’s other guys on our team (getting) drafted.
“It’s just a dream come true. I’ve had conversations with them and we’re all happy. We’re just excited.”
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