Anfernee Tyrik Simons Bio
Anfernee Tyrik Simons is an American professional basketball player who currently suits up for the Chicago Bulls of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Born on June 8, 1999, in Longwood, Florida, Simons has built a reputation as a dynamic scoring guard throughout his NBA career. After attending Edgewater High School in Orlando and completing a postgraduate year at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, he entered the 2018 NBA Draft and was selected 24th overall by the Portland Trail Blazers. After spending seven seasons with the Trail Blazers organization, Simons was traded to the Boston Celtics in 2025. He is now a member of the Chicago Bulls, joining the team in February 2026. Simons won the NBA Slam Dunk Contest in 2021, showcasing his elite leaping ability and athletic prowess on the biggest stage.
Early Life and Background
Anfernee Tyrik Simons was born to his parents, Charles and Tameka, in Longwood, Florida, on June 8, 1999. His parents were fans of the Orlando Magic and named him after former player Anfernee “Penny” Hardaway. Simons would later meet Hardaway during a Team USA Basketball training camp, creating a full-circle moment in his basketball journey.
Simons first attended Edgewater High School in Orlando, Florida, where he averaged 17.8 points, 4.6 assists, 2.4 rebounds, and 1 steal per game in 30 games as a sophomore. After growing up young for his grade level and playing with older students, Simons reclassified to enter college with the class of 2018, giving himself an additional year to develop his game. During his junior year, he transferred to Montverde Academy but returned to Edgewater after being a bench player.
In his final year at Edgewater, Simons averaged 23.8 points, 7.2 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.8 steals, and 0.5 blocks per game in 20 games. He then attended IMG Academy in Bradenton for a postgraduate year, where he averaged 22.4 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 3.1 assists on their postgraduate team. During the summer of 2017, he also played for the United States men’s national under-19 basketball team.
Path to Professional Basketball
Simons was rated as a five-star recruit and ranked as the seventh-best player in the 2018 class by 247Sports.com. Originally, he planned to attend the University of Louisville, but due to the school’s basketball scandal, Simons decommitted. He later said he was interested in schools including the University of South Carolina, North Carolina State University, the University of Tennessee, and the University of Florida. In January 2018, Simons announced he was “most likely” going to bypass college and enter the 2018 NBA Draft. He confirmed his decision two months later, removing his name from the 2018 Nike Hoop Summit and Jordan Brand Classic. On March 20, 2018, ESPN ranked Simons as the 19th-best prospect in the draft.
Anfernee Tyrik Simons Career
Portland Trail Blazers (2018–2025)
Simons was selected 24th overall by the Portland Trail Blazers in the 2018 NBA Draft, becoming the third high school player drafted since 2015, following Thon Maker and Satnam Singh Bhamara. On July 2, 2018, the Trail Blazers signed Simons to his rookie contract. On January 21, 2019, the organization assigned Simons to the Agua Caliente Clippers for NBA G League development experience.
On April 10, 2019, Simons had his first career start against the Sacramento Kings while the Trail Blazers rested Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum for the final game of the regular season. Simons responded with career highs across the board, recording 37 points, six rebounds, and nine assists. He became the first Trail Blazers rookie to score 30 or more points since Lillard accomplished the feat.
Breakthrough Seasons (2021–2025)
Simons continued to develop his game with the Trail Blazers, eventually breaking into a larger role. During the championship round of the Slam Dunk Contest at the 2021 NBA All-Star Game halftime, Simons attempted to kiss the rim but failed yet still completed the dunk. Despite the failed attempt, he was named the 2021 Slam Dunk Champion on a 3-2 decision, showcasing his extraordinary athleticism.
On January 3, 2022, Simons scored a then career-high 43 points with nine three-pointers and seven assists in a 136-131 victory over the Atlanta Hawks. In a postgame interview, he dedicated the performance to his grandfather, who had died of cancer the previous night. On March 28, Simons was ruled out for the remainder of the season with patellar tendinopathy in his left knee.
On July 6, 2022, Simons re-signed with the Trail Blazers on a four-year, $100 million contract. Early in the 2022-23 season, he made an immediate impact. On October 21, Simons hit a game-winning floater in a 113-111 overtime victory against the Phoenix Suns. On December 3, Simons scored a career-high 45 points in a 116-111 win over the Utah Jazz. On February 3, 2023, Simons recorded 33 points in a 124-116 comeback win against the Washington Wizards. Later that season, on October 25, Simons suffered a torn UCL in his right thumb against the Los Angeles Clippers, ruling him out for four to six weeks.
During the 2024-25 season, Simons continued his strong play. On December 19, 2024, he recorded a double-double and hit the game-winning buzzer-beater against the Denver Nuggets. Simons started 70 games for Portland that season, recording averages of 19.3 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 4.8 assists per game.
Boston Celtics Era (2025–2026)
On July 7, 2025, Simons was traded to the Boston Celtics in exchange for Jrue Holiday. He performed primarily in a reserve role for Boston during the 2025-26 season, averaging 14.2 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 2.4 assists across 49 appearances. On January 15, 2026, Simons recorded 39 points with seven three-pointers, four rebounds, and four assists in a 119-114 victory over the Miami Heat.
Chicago Bulls (2026–present)
On February 5, 2026, Simons and a 2026 second-round pick were traded to the Chicago Bulls in exchange for Nikola Vučević and a 2027 second-round pick. Simons made six appearances with five starts for Chicago during the remainder of the season, averaging 15.2 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 3.0 assists per game.
Playing Style and Strengths
Simons plays both shooting guard and point guard positions, listed at 6 feet 3 inches (1.91 meters) and 200 pounds (91 kilograms). His game is built around his elite scoring ability and three-point shooting. Simons has shown the ability to create his own shot and score from anywhere on the court. His career includes multiple 40-point performances, demonstrating his capacity to take over games offensively.
Notable Events and Milestones
Simons won the 2021 NBA Slam Dunk Contest, one of the most memorable performances in the event’s history. During the final round, he attempted to kiss the rim but failed yet still completed the dunk and won on a 3-2 decision. His career-high 45-point performance against the Utah Jazz in December 2022 stands as one of the top scoring displays of his career. The buzzer-beater victory against the Denver Nuggets in December 2024 added another signature moment to his career highlights.
Anfernee Tyrik Simons Career Highlights
Throughout his NBA career, Simons has established himself as a reliable scoring threat with the ability to fill up the stat sheet on any given night. His career includes multiple 40-point performances and numerous 30-point games that showcase his offensive capabilities.
NBA Achievements
Simons won the 2021 NBA Slam Dunk Contest during All-Star Weekend, defeating the field with a memorable final-round dunk attempt that became an iconic moment in the competition’s history. He signed a lucrative four-year, $100 million contract extension with the Portland Trail Blazers in July 2022, reflecting the organization’s confidence in his abilities. His career-high 45-point performance against the Utah Jazz in December 2022 demonstrated his elite scoring potential at the NBA level.
Notable Performances
Simons’ first career start on April 10, 2019, saw him score 37 points against the Sacramento Kings, becoming the first Trail Blazers rookie since Damian Lillard to score 30 or more points in that situation. His 43-point performance against the Atlanta Hawks in January 2022, dedicated to his late grandfather, remains one of the most emotional performances of his career. The game-winning buzzer-beater against the Denver Nuggets in December 2024 highlighted his clutch abilities in crucial moments.
Anfernee Tyrik Simons Family
Family Background
Simons was born to Charles and Tameka Simons in Longwood, Florida. His parents were fans of the Orlando Magic and named him after former NBA star Anfernee “Penny” Hardaway, who played for the Magic during his career. This naming choice connected Simons to NBA history from birth.
Personal Life
Simons’ connection to his namesake Anfernee “Penny” Hardaway came full circle when he met and was coached by Hardaway during a Team USA Basketball training camp. This meeting created a meaningful bond between the player and the legendary point guard he was named after. Simons continues to carry the legacy of his name throughout his basketball career.
2025 Season Performance
During the 2025 season, Simons began the year with the Boston Celtics after being acquired in a trade during the offseason. The trade sent Jrue Holiday to Portland in exchange for Simons, a move that added scoring depth to the Celtics roster. Simons appeared in 49 games with the Celtics during the 2025-26 season, averaging 14.2 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game in a reserve role.
His standout performance came on January 15, 2026, when he scored 39 points with seven three-pointers in a victory over the Miami Heat. This performance demonstrated his ability to contribute significantly even in a reduced role off the bench. The Celtics utilized Simons’ scoring ability to provide a spark off the bench throughout the season.
Simons was later traded to the Chicago Bulls in February 2026. He appeared in six games with five starts for the Bulls, averaging 15.2 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 3.0 assists per game to close out the season. He continues his NBA career with the Chicago Bulls organization.