The Saint Mary’s College men’s basketball program has landed another graduate transfer from the Pac-12.
Desmond Simmons, a 6-foot-7 forward, said Thursday that he’ll use his final year of college eligibility in Moraga after spending four years at Washington.
Simmons, a former Salesian High-Richmond star, was a part-time starter at Washington and averaged 5.2 points and 4.6 rebounds this past season after returning from a knee injury.
“It’ll be nice to play in front of my family for my last year in college, but that wasn’t a deciding factor,” Simmons said. “I just wanted to go to the best fit for me.”
Simmons missed the first 10 games of the year after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his right knee. He redshirted the 2010-2011 season.
Simmons had a decorated career at Salesian, leading the Pride to a state title in 2009 and was a two-time East Bay Player of the Year.
Coach Randy Bennett has also already signed point guard Aaron Bright, a Stanford transfer.
As graduate transfers, Simmons and Bright will be immediately eligible next season.
“Me and Coach Bennett always had a pretty good relationship,” Simmons said. “He recruited me in high school and (Saint Mary’s) was in my final three.”
Simmons said his relationship with Gaels assistant Jim Shaw, a former Washington assistant, was also a factor.
Simmons will receive his undergraduate degree in anthropology from Washington this month, then enroll in a Master’s program in leadership at Saint Mary’s.
