Jaddan Simmons put together a terrific freshman season at Arizona State in 2020-21.
Despite having to adjust to college basketball during a global pandemic, the guard averaged 10.8 points per game, becoming the first ASU freshman to average double-digit points since Jill Noe in 2003. She led the Sun Devils in assists, free throws, and steals. Her 79.3 percent free throw percentage was sixth in the Pac-12.
While most of her numbers increased from her freshman season to last season, one number was noticeably down. She went from averaging nearly 11 PPG to 9.6 PPG. She took fewer shots, and she shot 16 fewer free throws. It was clear her confidence was not quite where it should be.
“I mean we all saw it last year,” Simmons said. “It was a little down.”
This season, however, Simmons looks like a completely different player. In ASU’s opening 69-68 win over Northern Arizona, the junior tied her career-high with 22 points in addition to six rebounds and two steals. She was 7-8 from the foul line and had three blocks. Her free throw with 0:20 left, and her lockdown defense on NAU’s final possession sealed ASU’s win.
Simmons followed up her terrific performance against NAU with another solid outing in the Sun Devils’ 62-49 victory over Grambling State. She had 12 points, six more boards, another block, and three more steals.
After the NAU win, Simmons attributed her success to it being her junior year and it being time for her to elevate her play. However, it goes deeper than her being another year older. She had to gain her confidence back before this season.
Simmons discussed how she was able to regain her confidence coming into the year.
“Just taking the summer, honestly, just to reflect, get my mind right and do more off the court, not just on the court,” Simmons said. “So you know, just talking to people - the resources we have and then, like I said, Coach (Natasha Adair) and the coaching staff. So it was easy to get back on track.”
It was not just regaining confidence that has led to Simmons’ progress on the court this season. While Adair said they do not really have numbers for positions, Simmons is playing more of a shooting guard role this season, with transfer Tyi Skinner taking over the point.
“The one is a lot of facilitating, so I think now it’s just easier to slow down, and I know (Skinner) can handle the ball,” Simmons explained. “So it’s easier just to take a deep breath and just work on the outside and either get my teammates open or find a shot.”
With it being her third year starting, Simmons is the only player on the team with many minutes logged for the Sun Devils. And it’s obvious her new head coach believes in her, calling her a “three-level scorer” and praising her composure down the stretch against the Lumberjacks.
Simmons talked about her coach believing in her at the team’s first media availability of the season.
“Definitely more confident that she’s backing me,” Simmons stated. “I’ve always been the point guard; you know, trying to get people to their spots or get them open, all that stuff. So I mean, I’m still going to continue to get my teammates shots and all that, but it’s just nice to know that she wants me to have a bigger role on the team, and I’m a junior now, so I have to step up, and we have a lot (of) new faces so just be that leader on the team.”
Simmons and the Sun Devils will attempt to improve to 3-0 Tuesday against Montana State (2-0) in their first away game of the season. The game starts at 7 p.m. MST and will be broadcasted on ESPN Plus and KDUS AM 1060.
