By Tiffany Williams –
Anfernee Simons is wasting no time making his mark in Boston. The 26-year-old guard, once the quiet understudy to Damian Lillard in Portland, has landed in the spotlight with the Celtics — and he’s already showing Beantown what kind of firepower he brings.
Simons officially joined Boston on June 23, arriving in a high-impact trade that sent Jrue Holiday to the Portland Trail Blazers. The move stunned both fan bases — Portland losing one of its brightest young stars, Boston gaining a deadly scorer who can torch defenses from anywhere on the floor.
In his TD Garden debut, Simons was pure electricity. Twenty-one points off the bench in just 25 minutes, six of nine from deep, smooth, confident, effortless. The Celtics blew out the Cavaliers 138–107, but all eyes were on No. 1 — the newest spark in green. His rhythm, his range, his poise — it all clicked instantly.
For those who’ve followed his rise, it’s no surprise.
Born June 8, 1999, in Florida, Anfernee Tyrik Simons was destined for basketball. His parents, Charles and Tameka Simons, named him after Orlando Magic legend Anfernee “Penny” Hardaway — a hometown hero who symbolized style and grace on the court. Growing up in Altamonte Springs, Simons inherited that same smoothness, blending natural talent with an obsessive work ethic.
Simons played at Edgewater High before spending a postgraduate year at IMG Academy, where he caught the attention of NBA scouts. He made history in 2018 when he entered the draft straight out of high school — the first American player to do so since 2005. The Portland Trail Blazers selected him with the 24th overall pick.
It wasn’t an easy path. Simons later admitted he knew skipping college would mean growing pains. “I knew there were going to be some terrible moments,” he said. Without the college experience to prepare him, he relied on daily discipline and patience. Those early years riding the bench behind veterans like Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum became his classroom.
“Learning from all the older players that played in front of me early in my career really shaped the player I am today,” Simons once said. “They taught me how to handle success but also how to handle failures. Dame taught me how to handle attention while remaining humble.”
That humility carried him through four years of waiting for his moment — and when it came, he didn’t waste it.
In 2021–22, when Lillard went down with an injury, Simons stepped into the starting lineup and exploded. He averaged 22.6 points, 5.5 assists, and 3.6 rebounds last season on 38.5% shooting from deep and over 91% from the line. He became one of only six players in Blazers history to record a 40-point, 10-assist game.
At 6′4″ with a 6′9″ wingspan, Simons blends speed and length into a smooth, controlled game. His shot mechanics are pristine, his release lightning-fast, his footwork clean. Whether off the dribble, coming off screens, or pulling up from 30 feet, he’s a walking highlight reel.
But for Simons, it’s not just about basketball.
He and his mother co-founded Be A Light Inc., part of the Anfernee Simons Foundation, dedicated to inspiring and supporting disadvantaged youth through tutoring, family services, and career development. “I want to shine a light and provide resources to more underserved communities,” he said. “So every child has a chance to chase their dreams.”
His community work mirrors his evolution as a player — patient, steady, and driven by gratitude. “I love seeing my events grow each year,” he said. “When we first started Be A Light, we were mainly giving back during the holidays, but now we’re doing things all year round and partnering with local organizations.”
When asked what keeps him grounded, he often points back to home — and family. “I would probably say my nana’s house,” Simons said. “That’s one of the places early in my career that I would spend a lot of time at, so it will always feel like home. My cousins lived right around the corner, and we would play games and basketball in the street. They still come to my games to this day.”
That sense of loyalty extends to the kids he mentors. “To me, they might not have anyone else to support them,” he said. “So knowing I can be that person is important. That’s why we’re here — to make positive impacts on one another.”
And now, there’s one more motivator in his life — his son, Ace Simons, born February 11, 2024, during All-Star Weekend. Ace’s mom, Aaleeyah Petty, is an Instagram model, but to Anfernee, Ace is simply the reason to keep going harder.
Simons has admitted his biggest challenge was learning to “control what you can control.” Early frustrations about playing time taught him patience. “I wasn’t in control of everything,” he said, “but I learned to stick to what I can, and the results will fall.”
Now those results are landing in Boston. Under coach Joe Mazzulla, Simons fits perfectly into a system built on pace, movement, and shooting. With Jayson Tatum sidelined during preseason, Simons immediately filled a scoring void, giving the Celtics a weapon off the bench they haven’t had in years.
Against Cleveland, he looked like a star. Two threes in his first three minutes. Another step-back that froze his defender. It wasn’t just a hot hand — it was a statement.
He’s still developing defensively, but his length and athleticism give him the tools to become more than just a scorer. Mazzulla has already challenged him to commit on that end, knowing his offensive gifts can’t be the only reason he’s on the floor come playoff time.
Still, the Celtics know exactly what they got — a natural bucket-getter who plays with poise beyond his years. His shooting and composure could tilt close games, his versatility providing relief for Jaylen Brown and Tatum on nights when they need it most.
From Altamonte Springs to Boston, from a quiet rookie behind the Blazers’ stars to one of the league’s premier scoring guards, Anfernee Simons is proof that patience pays off. He’s not just another shooter — he’s a worker, a believer, and a light for others to follow.
And now, Boston is his next stage.