Anfernee Simons grateful for the balance CJ McCollum taught him

Anfernee Simons Grateful for CJ McCollum's Mentorship

Anfernee Simons appreciates the opportunity to demonstrate the growth he achieved with guidance from mentor CJ McCollum, who played a key role in his development.

Unconventional Path to the NBA

Instead of the traditional college route, Simons spent a postgraduate year training at IMG Academy in Florida after high school. This period away from the spotlight added an element of mystery that likely contributed to his selection as the 24th overall pick by the Portland Trail Blazers in the 2018 NBA Draft.

Mentorship in Portland

In Portland, Simons joined a backcourt featuring two excellent mentors: Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum. Before a game against McCollum’s Washington Wizards at TD Garden, Simons reflected on the balance he learned from McCollum that helped grow his game.

“As much as, obviously, everybody talks about my mentorship with Dame, obviously, and CJ is also a big part of my development, especially as a young player,” said Simons. “Just giving that, like kind of balance of both play styles, and so just his shiftiness and his ability to just get to the spots he want to get to, and his craftiness around the rim. I think those are things that I took the most from CJ."
"He's helped me tremendously throughout my career: how to play even when he might not be the most athletic, the fastest, and being able to be effective at the same time. So, I credit him for a lot as well as Dame."

Key Lessons from McCollum

Simons credits McCollum alongside Lillard for shaping his approach to the game.

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Hardwood Houdini Hardwood Houdini — 2025-11-06

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