At the beginning of each new year, Phenom Hoops works to assemble a series of articles centered around unsigned senior prospects. Last season, hundreds of players from the Carolinas went on to play at the Division I, II, III or NAIA levels, and that number looks likely to continue increasing with the current senior class. Typically, we take a closer look at guys who are overlooked and underrated, and today’s edition will highlight Jordan Simpson or Orangeburg-Wilkinson. 

We’ve been fortunate enough to see Simpson in virtually every setting, and prior to the season said, Arguably no prospect on this list has changed their identity more in the last calendar year than Simpson, who certainly has the makings of a useful scholarship-level prospect. He made a visible shift in his approach as an overall teammate, which allowed his phenomenal array of tools to naturally shine. Simpson is a strong, physical, athletic wing prospect with size, toughness, and a sturdy frame. He’s a nice penetrator and pull-up shooter from midrange, but can also knock down three-point jumpers and assume some secondary playmaking skills as needed. Simpson also makes his presence felt as a defender and rebounder, yet still has clear upside in those areas. He should have an extremely productive upcoming season.”

During the high school season, Simpson’s production and consistency haven’t wavered. He’s posting nightly averages of 19.0 PPG, 5.6 RPG, and 2.6 SPG while shooting an insane 66% from the floor (and an even more ridiculous 74% from inside the arc (on 232 attempts)). Add in his frame, athleticism, and continued upside, and there should be a slew of scholarship-level programs getting involved. Simpson is the clear leader of a successful Orangeburg-Wilkinson squad (21-2), and has been the best player on the floor in multiple key matchups. The market for a strong, productive, 6-foot-5 wing prospect should definitely appeal to a variety of programs. Expect Simpson and the Bruins to continue rolling over these next few months. 

Share to...