If you’re in a “win now” scenario, Simons is your best option of the 5 on this list. Ty is a good guard who can score at a high level and is a floor raiser for those around him. With the willingness to create for others, expect Ty to be among the most impactful freshmen in Kentucky this year. Nicholas County will expect a lot from him, immediately.

One of the better scorers in this class right now, Simons is likely to put up a whole lot of points for Nicholas County over his career. With his ability to fill it up combined with a Blue Jackets roster that needs to replace quite a bit this year, I would not be surprised if Ty ended up leading all freshmen in scoring in the state of Kentucky this season.

Ty Simons Ty Simons 6'2" | PG/CG Nicholas County | 2030 State KY played a major role throughout the game, bringing an aggressive approach and a relentless motor on both ends of the floor. Defensively, he never shied away from a challenge, willingly guarding players inside the paint and on the perimeter while competing hard on every possession. Offensively, he opened the game by knocking down the team’s first basket from beyond the arc and continued to make plays throughout the contest. He attacked the basket with purpose, battled through contact in the paint, and was comfortable handling the ball when called upon, giving his team another option as a playmaker. His energy and toughness were evident throughout the game, helping him make an impact in a variety of ways.

It’s uncommon for eighth graders to start varsity but Simons is in the Nicholas County starting lineup, and for good reason. He impressed me with an advanced feel for his age, not forcing the issue with the ball in his hands. Simons’ strong frame for his age also allows him to handle the physicality of the varsity game with nothing but older players sharing the court with him on Thursday night. Simons had a bucket in the mid-range and a righty scoop layup in transition during the second half in this back-and-forth contest. A name we’ll be writing a lot more about over the next four years, expect to get very familiar with Simons game.

Simons is super skilled at the point guard spot and continues to get better with the more varsity experience he gets. An efficient scorer who gets to his spots on offense, Ty is shooting 50% from the field and 50% from three. He doesn’t rely on attacking the paint or float around the perimeter too much. Simons is a true three level scorer and is certainly a name to keep up with, long term.