Simmons Has Wide Range Of Interest

Keith Simmonsmmons, a 6-4, 180-pound wing guard/wing forward from Kingston High School in Kingston, New York, was a vital cog in the New York Elite's run to the Three Stripes tournament at Hofstra this past weekend, earning all-Tournament honors.

Simmons hit a runner as time expired to give the Elite a dramatic one-point victory over a loaded Tim Thomas Playaz Black in the semifinals of the tournament, finishing with 14 points. He chipped in 11 points in the Elite's 52-49 title game win over the LA Rockfish, handling the point while at other times playing off the ball, and doing a competent job in both slots.

Simmons handles well for his size, possessing a shiftiness with the ball that helps him slink into the paint for buckets He is fast in the open floor, and has a quick first step. Simmons has a long reach that helps him constrict opponents' passing lanes. Simmons hit the mid-range jumper consistently at Three Stripes The lanky wing will need to get stronger for the next level. His versatility and shiftiness, not to mention his size, bode well for Simmons at the next level.

Simmons has fielded interest from Canisius, Rider, LaSalle, UMass, Penn State, Holy Cross, Penn, Loyola(MD), Siena, St. Francis(NY), and Quinnipiac. Canisius, Penn St., Holy Cross, and Siena have offered.

"I'll probably take some visits in August and September," said Simmons. "I'll definitely see Holy Cross, UMass, Penn St., Penn, and Rider; I'll probably try and see as many schools as I can."

Simmons will participate at the Charlie Weber Tournament at West Virginia University with the NY Elite, as well as Las Vegas Big Time and The Best of Summer Tourney in California.

Simmons averaged 19 points, 12 rebounds, and 7 assists at Kingston High School this past season, where he ran the point most of the time. Keith maintains an 88 average in the classroom, and has scored 990 on the SAT. He is going to take the test again in October with the hopes of at least cracking 1000.

We expect more schools to extend Simmons scholarship offers based on his perforrmance at the Three Stripes Tournament. The tourney served as a bit of a coming out party for the versatile wingman, who hasn't garnered a tremendous amount of exposure out of upstate Kingston.