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We continue our 2016-17 season preview interview series with FGCU JR PF Antravious Simmons. He is connected to 2 of the biggest Cinderella programs in recent memory: he began his career at VCU before transferring to the Eagles in December of 2014. The defending Atlantic Sun champs will depend on him down low, as he was #2 on the team in REB and averaged 12 PPG/9.7 RPG in his 3 conference tourney games. HoopsHD’s Jon Teitel got to chat with Antravious about facing the Tar Heels last March and his thoughts on the NCAA’s transfer rules (we also wish him a belated happy birthday!!).
You were an OL on your high school football team: which sport were you best at back in the day, and which 1 did you enjoy the most? I was really good at basketball. I enjoyed football as a kid but ended up enjoying basketball the most.
After playing 3 games at VCU in the fall of 2014 you decided to transfer: why did you leave the Rams, and what made you choose FGCU? There were a lot of factors that went into my decision: I was not happy with my playing time and wanted to be closer to home. I felt welcome at FGCU and had known the coaches since high school so it was the right fit for me.
After transferring in December of 2014 and starting classes at your new school in January of 2015, NCAA officials were only able to clear you to play about 24 hours before the start of the season: what changes would you make to the NCAA transfer rules if you were in charge? I would let kids play right away. You only have a certain amount of time to play ball and enjoy college so I would give them as much time as possible.
You play for Coach Joe Dooley: what makes him such a good coach, and what is the most important thing that you have ever learned from him? He taught me to never give up on anything. He pushes us to be the best that we can be. He will not settle for “good” because he wants us to be “great” by going the extra mile to help our team on the court and better ourselves off the court.
In the 2016 Atlantic Sun tourney title game you set career-highs with 21 PTS/12 REB in only 23 minutes in a win over Stetson: how were you able to play your best when it mattered the most? A lot of it was due to emotion. When I was in high school we lost the lead in the 2nd half of our state championship game, which hurt a lot, so I wanted to do everything I could that day to help us win. We worked so hard during the year and went on a bit of a losing streak but I did not want to miss the chance to make it to the NCAA tourney.
In the 2016 NCAA tourney you had 14 PTS/6-8 FG in a loss to North Carolina: what did you learn from that game that you think can help you this year? It gave me a confidence boost (not that I was lacking any!) and let me know that we could play against any school in the country. If you do what you have to do then good things will happen.
Your non-conference schedule includes games against Florida/Baylor/Michigan State: which of these games do you feel will present your biggest test? I would have to say Michigan State: they are good every year and Tom Izzo is a great coach who will have his team well-prepared for whoever they face. I met him once and he seemed like a really good guy.
You are 1 of several transfers on the team in addition to guys who started at Michigan/Pitt/Texas Tech: what is the key to having everyone come together and bond as a team? When I arrived here everyone welcomed me and did not treat me like an outsider. It was great for the older teammates to welcome the newer guys.
You played on an AAU team with current Eagles teammate Zach Johnson: how have you enjoyed being reunited with him? It is really nice. We linked back up after I transferred here and shared a lot of good memories: now we can keep chasing our dreams together.
What are your goals for the upcoming season, and what are your expectations for the upcoming season? I want to pick up from where I left off last year and do whatever I need to do to help us win. I am not a young guy any more so I want to be a leader both on and off the court. As a team we want to win some titles, make it to the NCAA tourney, and then not lose in the 1st round. We will have a lot of new faces this year but we want to grow as the season goes and not make any excuses.