Games Watched: vs Oklahoma Next Level March 16th, vs ASAK March 17th

Simpson has a chance to continue to develop into one of the more dynamic scorers in Oklahoma’s Class of 2025.  With his combination of athleticism and size, defenders seem to have to always play off. Which in the games watched, he often made them pay by confidently hitting jumpers. Along with the simple pull up over sagging defenders, he’s also developing a reliable mid-range fadeaway.  He also has a snake like ability to slither through the defense on drives, where he rarely seems out of control as he finds his way to the rim.  Add in more explosive bounce for highlight reel finishes, and a potential exciting spring and summer is in store for Simpson.

The other junior who was on that 2022 Booker T Washington squad was credited with the same state line, 13 points and 7 rebounds.  Simpson’s big time athleticism was a key part in the Hornets out rebounding the bigger Knights. He can really climb the ladder for rebounds and other plays around the rim. While his quickness for his size can get defenders on skates.  Harris and Simpson will be at the heart of Booker T Washington as they go for the program’s 17th Gold Ball on Saturday.

Simpson is coming along strong for a surging Booker T Washington team in 5A.  He’s grown taller, started to fill out and seen an increased burst in his athleticism, making him a two-way terror.  It’s a cliche to say, but simply he looks the part of a next level athlete. He plays with speed while making it look effortless with how controlled he moves. And he’s starting really see his bounce come in. These traits are best shown when skying high for blocks, seemingly teleporting for steals and improving acrobatics with his finishing package.

Not just an athlete, Simpson is stuffing the statsheet for his balanced Hornet squad with 12 points, 5 rebounds and handing out 3.5 assists a game.  Those numbers have started to take an upturn as Booker T gets ready for the stretch run.  There’s certain players that when watching fit into the category “knows what it looks like” as no brainer for the next level due to upside that jumps off the page.  A strong finish to the season could put Simpson in that category.

Booker T Washington blitzed Collinsville from the jump and it was the junior guard who set the pace on both ends of the court. His opening quarter was filled with more highlights than some prospects have in a full game. Three plays stood out as examples of his improving athleticism and intensity. There was the crashing of the glass for a putback. Which was quickly followed up in the other end when he came weakside and soundly rejected Collinsville’s 6 foot 9 forward prospect. Then to close out the opening frame, he went right at the same player at the rim on offense, drew the foul and the finish. Mix in his pushing of the ball in transition and the occasional three and it was a complete game for the junior. It was reminiscent of some of the performances from the upperclassmen guards on the Hornets’ Class 6A semifinalist team in 2022, that Simpson was a freshman on.

The junior has long had good upside thanks to his athleticism and defensive instincts but hadn’t yet fully broken through.  If this game was an indication of what lies ahead for him, he’ll be in the conversation as one of the best 2025 prospects in not only Tulsa, but all of Oklahoma.

After averaging 8 points a game as a sophomore, Simpson has the size and quickness to explode onto the scene as an dynamic off the dribble scorer. Like many young athletic guards, he has often looked his best in transition. Which he often creates those transition opportunities with his long hands and good defensive instincts that cause havoc. Similar to Harris, it’s about refining his shooting and half court feel to become the consistent pillars of production that the Hornets will need to achieve their lofty goals.

A quick and lanky combo guard, Simpson flashed upside as a sophomore. Now as a junior he’s looking to put together a complete season with potentially improved shooting to match his off the dribble driving ability.  The Booker T Washington has a slippery way in how he navigates through defenders when attacking the rim, with quality change of direction handles and body control. Simpson projects as one of the better guards in 5A this season, with the chance to develop into a big time scorer off the dribble.