With his trade to the Boston Celtics, everyone wants to know more about the team’s newest player, Anfernee Simons. Simons became a part of the Celtics on June 23 in a high-impact trade with Jrue Holiday, who now joins Simons’ former team, the Portland Trail Blazers. So, who is this talented shooting guard who’s positioned to make major three-point shots for Beantown? Here are 10 facts about Simons you need to know.
1. His first name namesake. Born on June 8, 1999, in Florida, Simons’ parents, Charles and Tameka Simons, named their newborn after former Orlando Magic player Anfernee "Penny" Hardaway. They were fans of the team.
2. Big boy appetite. Simons' mom, Tameka, revealed during an interview that Simons would have two dinners while in high school. He'd eat at his favorite fast-food chain after school and then come home for dinner. "He was a good kid, and he did well for himself as far as his grades and things like that. So that was kind of a reward for him doing the things that he was supposed to do," she shared on the WHAT podcast in 2019.
3. Straight to the court. Simons played at Edgewater High and did a postgraduate year at IMG Academy, which allowed him to enter the NBA draft directly out of high school. He was the 24th draft pick in 2018, joining his first professional team, the Portland Trailblazers.
4. Ready for a challenge. Simons is the first American player to be drafted out of high school since 2005. In a past interview about his decision to skip college, he shared, "I knew there were going to be some terrible moments," as he didn't have college ball preparation. He committed himself to improving daily and sticking with it.
5. What a wingspan. While Simons is a respectable 6 feet 3 inches tall, his wingspan, from fingertip to fingertip, is an impressive 6-foot-9-inch wingspan, considered beneficial for his role on the court.
6. Style influencer. Simons loves his kicks. He often plays in Nike Sabrina 2 By You shoes. As a kid, his father stocked up on Jordan Air Max 1s, another of his personal favorites.
7. Giving back the light. Simons and his mother started Be A Light Inc., an arm of the Anfernee Simons Foundation. Its mission is to inspire, motivate and educate disadvantaged or at-risk youth and young adults through family support services, continuing education, tutoring and career development programs.
8. Graduation Day. On June 4, Simons' organization hosted Grad Bash 2025, celebrating 28 graduates from Altamonte/Winwood, a historic African American community in Seminole County, Florida. "We are so proud of each of them and can’t wait to see what they accomplish next," he posted on Instagram.
9. Awarded for Good. Simons was named the NBA Cares Bob Lanier Community Assist Award winner for March 2025. The award recognized his significant contributions to community through his organization and awarded him $10,000.
10. He’s a father. Simons has a young son, Ace Simons, who was born on February 11, 2024, during All-Star Weekend. Ace’s mom, Aaleeyah Petty, is an Instagram model.