Although this basketball season has just begun, Zavier Simpson is already in mid-season form. The Lima native is currently with the Lakeland Magic of the NBA G-League. This is Simpson’s first season with the organization after playing for them in the NBA Summer League.
So far Simpson has played in ten games and has scored in double-digits in all of them. He also has had four double-doubles already due to his assisting prowess. Currently, Simpson is 3rd in the league in assists per game. Simpson is currently averaging 34.3 minutes, 18 points, 8.7 assists and 5.3 rebounds a game. Simpson is undoubtedly having his best season as a professional and is the bright spot on a struggling G-League team.
Since turning professional Simpson has knocked on the door of the NBA a few times. Starting with Oklahoma City in 2021, Simpson played for their G-League affiliate, the OKC Blue, for 15 games where he showed flashes of NBA potential. Following the season Simpson played for the Los Angeles Lakers in the Summer League where he got limited playing time. The 2021-22 season saw him back with the OKC Blue where he played 47 games where he averaged 12.7 points and 6.2 assists per game. He was finally then called up to the Oklahoma City Thunder for four games where he scored in double-digits in three games and had 11 assists in the other. This past summer league was spent with the Orlando Magic where he is now playing for their G-League affiliate.
This season is going to be a true proving ground for Simpson. If he is able to continue performing at this high of a level it is only a matter of time before he ends up back on the NBA floor. However, it will remain to be scene who he may suit up for. The Orlando Magic are currently floundering and are last in their division, but they are a very young team. Orlando has committed this season to being a rebuilding year and allowing their young stars to gain experience in the NBA. The Magic currently have three young point guards on their roster so it is unlikely Simpson will be called up unless two are injured. Although, for other teams in league on the brink of the playoffs who do not have stellar point guards it would not be out of the question to trade for Simpson to provide a spark off the bench.
There are still many games yet to be played and a lot left to the unknown. What’s constant is that Zavier Simpson will continue playing at a high level and representing Northwest Ohio well. Simpson is only the second ever Lima native to play in an NBA game.
Leading Updates
Natasha Howard (Toledo/Waite) will be playing for Fenerbahce in Turkey for the WNBA offseason.
Garrison Smith (Norwalk) was named to the All-Southland Conference First Team after his first year kicking for McNeese State.
Notable Game Updates
On November 20th Zia Cooke (Toledo/Rogers) had 13 points and 4 assists in a South Carolina overtime win against Stanford.
On November 20th Da’Sean Nelson (Toledo/Rogers) had 11 points in a DePaul loss to Oklahoma State.
On November 20th Brooklyn Thrash (Wayne/Elmwood) had 16 points and 10 rebounds in a Canisius loss to Binghamton.
On November 21st Olivia Sims (Toledo/Notre Dame) had 12 points in a Valparaiso overtime loss to UAB.
On November 21st Ivy Wolf (Minster) had 17 points in a Miami OH loss to Western Kentucky.
On November 22nd Tahj Staveskie (Sandusky) had 15 points and 6 assists in a Canisius loss to Cornell.
On November 22nd Courtney Prenger (Minster) had 16 points and 6 rebounds in a Xavier win over McNeese State.
On November 23rd Austin Rotroff (Wauseon) had a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds in a Duquesne win over Alabama State.
On November 24th Grace VanSlooten (Toledo/Notre Dame) had 17 points and 11 rebounds in an Oregon loss to North Carolina.
On November 25th Gunnar Oakes (Swanton) had 4 catches for 50 yards in an Eastern Michigan win over Central Michigan.
On November 26th Sammi Mikonowicz (Rossford) had 24 points in a Toledo win over Texas-Arlington.
On November 27th Ivy Wolf (Minster) had 23 points in a Miami OH loss to Evansville.
Interesting Reads
Explanation provided for suspension of Central Catholic coach
The Alouettes | The curious case of Trevor Harris - OI Canadian
'I'd Love To!': Could Injured Micah Hyde Make Bills Miracle Comeback? - Sports Illustrated
TRAC boys basketball preview: Whitmer favored to win league’s final season