NBA Draft Scouting Report: Colorado's KJ Simpson
KJ Simpson
Guard | Colorado
Height: 6'2” | Weight: 190 lbs
2024 Draft Age: 21.88
Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Prospect Profile
Over the course of three seasons at Colorado, Simpson has shown tremendous improvement and now has emerged as an NBA-caliber guard. Leading the offense on a talented Buffaloes team with multiple NBA prospects, he has broken out as the type of player who has the ability to flirt with a triple-double on any given night. He’s a lethal scorer, great passer and productive positional rebounder.
There's a variety of roles Simpson could play at the next level, but as a baseline, he projects to be a solid reserve who can lead the second unit and knock down perimeter shots. The 6-foot-2 prospect struggled shooting from beyond the arc in his first two college seasons but has broken out in year three. This is one of the primary reasons he has emerged as a legitimate NBA talent, along with his improved scoring efficiency across the board. His free throw efficiency and overall shot mechanics would suggest that the shooting upside is real moving forward. Overall, Simpson has shown that he can score at all three levels when needed and has no problem getting a bucket for his team in the biggest moments.
At 6-foot-2 and with a slender build, Simpson will be at a disadvantage physically at the NBA level against bigger and stronger players. Even then, he has quick hands and disruptive tendencies that will help him adequately impact the game on the defensive side of the ball.
Simpson has been one of the best players in the Pac-12 for two seasons now. His linear growth is something that will impress NBA teams as he has consistently shown he can expand and improve his game. A former top-100 recruit in his high school class, he was the all-time leading scorer at Chaminade which has produced numerous NBA talents. His father was a standout basketball player at the college and professional level, which speaks to the pedigree of Simpson.
Highlights
Draft Projection
Second-Round Pick in 2024 NBA Draft.
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