Random Athlete of the Day- DeShawn Sims

The 6-9 225-er Deshawn Sims, is a Detroit native who played high school basketball at Detroit Pershing, same HS as NBA Star Ralph Sampson. Sims, also known by his nickname Peedi, was labeled a 4-star recruit and went on to represent the state of Michigan at the University of Michigan. Photo Credit: AP Photo/Tony Ding As a freshman Sims was a non-factor, but things changed his sophomore year as Coach John Beilien and star Manny Harris took over. Sims averaged 12.3 ppg and 5.4 boards per game, but Michigan missed out on the Big Dance. In 2008-09 Sims further improved his totals with 15.4 ppg while shooting just over 50% from the field. That year the Wolverines made it to the tourney as a #10 seed, and started out with an upset over K. C. Rivers and Trevor Booker’s Clemson Tigers, but ended with a loss to Blake Griffin’s Sooners (Griffin finished with 33 and 17). As a senior Sims set career highs with 32.1 mpg, 16.8 ppg, and 7.6 rpg. Despite the career totals, Michigan didn’t make the tournament once again, and Sims went undrafted in the 2010 NBA Draft. Following the draft Sims had brief stints with the Boston Celtics and the Dallas Mavericks before going to Greece and playing for PAOK BC (averaged 12.3 ppg). Within the month of signing Sims went back to the States to play in the D-League for the Celtics affiliate. Averaging 20.7 ppg and 7.7 rpg Sims went on to win NBA Development Rookie of the Year. Following the award, Sims went on to play in Puerto Rico and South Korea before returning to the D-League. In 2012 Sims made the Suns roster for the Summer League, but it unfortunately didn’t pan out for him. The forward then signed with and currently plays for Hekmeh in Lebanon where he’s averaging 23 ppg and 9.6 rpg. -Schotz

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