The rigors of a nationwide workout tour ahead of next week’s NBA Draft suit Henry Sims just fine.
As little as a year ago, no one would’ve believed he’d even be considered an NBA prospect. But after a stunning transformation as a senior at Georgetown, the 6-foot-11 Baltimore native has himself firmly in the range of being taken in the second round on June 28.
“It feels good to be in this position,” Sims said after putting his skills on display for the Wizards on Thursday, his 13th of 15 or more workouts. “Two years ago this wouldn’t be the case. I think it’s a testament to my hard work. Anybody can be in this position if they work hard enough.”
Sims was overshadowed upon his arrival at Georgetown by Greg Monroe, who went on to be a top 10 pick after two seasons. But it wasn’t until he rededicated himself prior to his final year of eligibility that Sims did his best impression of Monroe, turning into the Hoyas’ key facilitator as well as a scoring and defensive presence.
After averaging 3.6 points, 3.2 rebounds and barely one assist per game as a junior, Sims led Georgetown last season in assists (3.5 apg), was second in rebounding (6.0 rpg) and third in scoring (11.6 ppg) en route to the program’s first NCAA tournament win since 2008.
“It’s definitely a skill coaches like,” Sims said of his ability to distribute. “It’s a skill I embrace as well because I like to pass the ball, I like to see other teammates score and I like to be a facilitator. I think Georgetown helped me to be able to sharpen that skill. I was always a good passer in high school, but coming to Georgetown helped me learn how to read situations, what passes go where, when to make a pass, when not to make a pass.”
The next step is showing NBA teams that he can make plays as well as pass the ball and the being described as a late bloomer doesn’t indicate how much he has yet to blossom.
“A lot of people saw the Princeton offense, they thought it was just given the offense that I was able to do that,” Sims said. “But you know, actually I can make plays. I can put the ball on the floor outside of the offense. I can do a lot of things that our offense didn’t allow.”
As for advice from his former coach, John Thompson III, Sims said it was short and sweet.
“He told me to play hard,” Sims said. “’You’re fighting for a job. Play like it.’”
That seems assured. Where once his future was in doubt, Sims is so certain of NBA basketball in his future that there’s little concern where he might be drafted.
“I’m not asking,” he said. “We don’t know until Thursday.”
