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Darryl Simmons is up for the challenge. Really, Darryl Simmons is up for any challenge. But this one in particular, he is not backing down.
The 5-foot, 9-inch point guard, who is a native of Detroit, is heading into his junior year at Putnam Science Academy. He could play major minutes as part of the Elite team (formerly known as Varsity), as he has the past two seasons. Or he could play what is currently a less-defined role for the defending national champion Prep team that will include University of Miami-commit Bensley Joseph, who is widely regarded as the best 2021 point guard in New England.
Guess which one Simmons plans on?
“This is an opportunity for me to show the Prep team and college coaches that I can lead a team at an early age,” Simmons said. “To be truthful, I’ve been playing against men, not boys. I’ve been playing up, against top elite guards all my life at PSA. This is my time. I worked hard for this. Somebody’s minutes are in jeopardy.”
“We’re coming off a national championship run last season and the expectation is the same. This time I want to be a key contributor to winning another championship for (the coaches) and most importantly the new guys on the team because they’re all here to get a taste of what real elite prep basketball is all about.”
Simmons said he has put on 10 pounds of muscle since he ended last season as a reserve on the Prep team. He’s also been working on his mid-range jumper and on improving his range from 3-point land. He’s on the same AAU team as Joseph – Expressions Elite on the Nike EYBL circuit – which has proven to helpful on multiple levels.
“I’m excited to be working with Bensley and playing alongside him,” Simmons said. “We’ve been working on our chemistry and I’ve been sharing ideas with him about how we can build chemistry with the guys.
“And that’s given me the opportunity to compete and play with him all summer. I can run with him and he knows that and he respects my game.”
A lot of colleges respect Simmons’ game as well. He has drawn a lot of interest and some scholarships offer from a number of schools this summer, including UMass, Kentucky State, Illinois-Chicago, Columbia, Boston University, Boston College, Yale, Bryant, Gardner Webb, and Holy Cross, among others. And many others are sure to follow in the seasons ahead.
“I’ve been real blessed by this,” he said. “This process has been real fun and interesting. It makes me feel good to see that schools have been interested and are seeing the hard work that I’ve been putting in. It’s starting to pay off. I can’t wait to see what the future holds for me.”
Stephen Nalbandian
Sports Information Director
Putnam Science Academy
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