NBA Comparison: Jordan Bell

Strength: Sims is very springy, energetic athlete with great physical traits at 6’10 245, possessing truly explosive leaping ability (ridiculous 44.5” max vert at the NBA Combine, good for 2nd highest ever recorded in the event’s history) and nice speed for a legitimate C prospect … On top of his big-time athleticism, he also possesses an enormous 7’3 wingspan that he uses well on both ends of the court … Runs the floor like a deer, and looks to convert any opportunities he gets in the open court or as a rollman with strong finishes above the rim (impressive 69.6 FG% as a Sr., career 64 FG%) … Possesses a quick second jump, which when coupled with his length allows him to be an effective offensive rebounding/putback threat …. Good upper body strength, can clear the glass and convert in the paint through contact well … The dropstep is definitely his go-to post move, but he will occasionally look comfortable spinning into a jump hook over his right shoulder if it isn’t available … Excellent defensive potential, looks great defending in both the low & high post and in pick & roll switches … Has all the lateral quickness and physical tools needed to defend in today’s NBA as a big…Uses his length and size well as a shotblocker, able to move his feet and reject shots on the high post and perimeter with good timing or patrol the paint in helpside defense…Really improved his defensive fundamentals throughout his 4-year career, which allowed him to make a bigger impact contesting when he was on an island against smaller players during his last 2 seasons … Can impact the game without scoring much or having plays drawn up for him, makes effort plays … Solid hands, doesnt drop or bobble many dump off passes and had some impressive alley oops … Played in a role and scheme at Texas that asked him to do the same things he projects to do at the pro level …

Weaknesses: Limited offensive player, struggles to make plays for himself or his teammates and is mostly just an at the rim finisher … Offers nothing in the way of floor spacing or perimeter skills, only attempted 1 3-pointer in his college career and also showed virtually nothing from mid-range … Below average free throw shooting eye (career 52 FT%, declining efficiency the past 3 seasons) is discouraging to the thought that he may one day improve his shooting touch … Would have benefited exponentially on offense if he developed some semblance of a jumper from the 12-15 ft area at the least, but he never did in his time in college … Explosive, but not particularly smooth or skilled & needs spacing to be most effective … Lacks patience on offense, often seems rushed when setting screens or when he has to make a decision with the ball in his hands, leading to turnovers/offensive fouls … Back to the basket game is underdeveloped, usually most effective when catching and finishing on the move … Doesnt react well to traps or on the fly defensive pressure, overall feel for the game is lacking for such an experienced college player … Though he steadily improved throughout his career, he never quite became as productive or impactful as expected on a consistent basis considering the tools he possesses (career averages of 6.6 ppg and 5.4 rpg across 77 starts)

Overall: Sims is another of the long line of defensive-minded, lengthy Texas big men that have been coached by Shaka Smart and could very well also hear his name called in the draft like his predecessors after opening eyes in pre-draft workouts with his incredible NBA combine measurables … His rim rocking dunks and explosive leaping, especially for a C prospect, have caught the eye of NBA scouts and fans alike, and if you’re reading this I’m sure you’ve seen the viral video of him jumping so high on a dunk at the Klutch Sports Pro Day that he hit his eye on the rim … His defensive potential is also impressive, as he is a perfect modern big man on that end and his shot-blocking numbers in college do not tell the full story of his presence … Still, with a full 4-year career and only marginal year-to-year improvements in his production, it is fair to assume he is closer to being a finished product than assumed for someone with his combination of size and athleticism … His skill level is not on the same level as his physical ability, but that could be just fine as he clearly projects and already has garnered experience as more of a Willie Cauley-Stein type of energetic, athletic frontcourt role player rather than a focal point …

Notes: Measured: 6’9.0” barefoot, 6’10.0” in shoes, 8’10.0” standing reach, 250.2 lbs, 7’3.25” wingspan at the 2021 NBA Draft Combine …

Jorrye Nixon 7/20/21