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2018 Orlando Magic NBA Draft Preview: Anfernee Simons scaling up from high school

By Philip Rossman-Reich

SPRINGFIELD, MA - JANUARY 14: IMG Academy Ascenders guard Anfernee Simons (3) shoots the ball during the first half of the Spalding Hoophall Classic high school basketball game between the Vermont Academy Wildcats and the IMG Academy Post Grad Ascenders on January 14, 2018, at the Blake Arena in Springfield, MA .(Photo by John Jones/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
SPRINGFIELD, MA - JANUARY 14: IMG Academy Ascenders guard Anfernee Simons (3) shoots the ball during the first half of the Spalding Hoophall Classic high school basketball game between the Vermont Academy Wildcats and the IMG Academy Post Grad Ascenders on January 14, 2018, at the Blake Arena in Springfield, MA .(Photo by John Jones/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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Anfernee Simons
CHICAGO, IL – MAY 17: Anfernee Simons #39 talks to the media during the NBA Draft Combine Day 1 at the Quest Multisport Center on May 17, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Jeff Haynes/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Final Word

There is a lot to be intrigued with Anfernee Simons. His personal story is honestly secondary to what he can do as a player on the court and what he could be.

Of course, Orlando Magic fans should know that his name is not a coincidence. His parents named him after Anfernee Hardaway and Anfernee Simons was born in Longwood and grew up in Altamonte Springs. He grew up watching Tracy McGrady on the occasions he took the short drive to the TD Waterhouse Centre/Amway Arena.

Simons told the media after his workout in Orlando on Saturday that he got wrapped up in the 2009 NBA Finals run. He said working out for the Magic and being in the Amway Center was a dream come true.

The story almost writes itself.

But ultimately, the Magic will make a decision — whether they trade back into the first round or take him with one of their second round picks — based on what he can do on the court. And there is a lot he can do on the court.

His athleticism and driving ability are impressive alone. Simons’ jumper also has a lot to like. It seems that if you can put him on the ball, he will figure out a way to score. Especially as he continues to put on strength and improve.

Simons certainly still carries risk. The competition he played against was not strong. Simons was in a position to dominate them. And, in fact, he did. That is always a good first step.

In the workout circuit, Simons has played against plenty of other guards. These workout sessions will be critical to showing NBA scouts and executives that his game can translate up.

Next: 2018 NBA Draft Preview: Who is Jerome Robinson?

But in most cases, if you combine ball-handling, athleticism, size, speed and jump shooting together, you get a good player. Simons seems to have all those attributes at his disposal. He may take some time to get up to speed at the NBA level. But the talent is all there.