Simpkins says yes to Memphis
Matt Simpkins, one of the top uncommitted players left in the class of 2008, is now off the board. The four-star forward from California committed to Memphis on Saturday.
The 6-foot-8 forward visited the nation's number two program for the Pepperdine game and decided the time was right to pull the trigger and commit.
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"It seems like a perfect fit for me," Simpkins told the Memphis Commercial Appeal.
He made the midseason visit with his mother and decided the time was right to make his decision, something that has been brewing for the last couple of months, finalized after seeing the campus for the first time.
Simpkins, a top 50 prospect in the 2008 class, joins five-star forward Angel Garcia in Memphis's recruiting class. The Oakland native gives the team an athletic presence at the four and fits the mold of the athletic forward that has been so successful in the past for John Calipari's program.
Simpkins is currently at the Patterson School in North Carolina. The school has been a pipeline to Memphis. Current Memphis big men Hashim Bailey and Pierre Niles both played at the school prior to their college careers.
Three other Memphis players – Joey Dorsey, Robert Dozier and Antonio Anderson – played for current Patterson coach Chris Chaney at Laurinburg (N.C.) before enrolling at Memphis.
Washington and Cal were also considered by the four-star forward.
Only 13 players remain uncommitted in the class of 2008 top 150 national rankings.