Meet a Buckeye: Jeremie Simmons
Thursday, December 10, 2009
By Bill Rabinowitz
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
PHOTO (top): Jeremie Simmons, making a play on the defensive end here, has improved his contributions on the other end, averaging a conference-best 53.6 percent from beyond the 3-point line. (Jonathan Quilter, Dispatch)
Jeremie Simmons isn't one to talk about himself or his game. That much was evident when he led the Ohio State men's basketball team in scoring with 18 points against St. Francis (Pa.) on Nov. 28 but was not among the players available for a postgame interview. There's no hiding his impact on the Buckeyes, though. As their sixth man, the senior from Chicago is averaging 10.8 points per game and making a Big Ten-best 53.6 percent of his three-pointers. attempts. We trapped him before he made it out the door after last Saturday's game against Eastern Michigan.
Q: I heard you like doing interviews about as much as having a root canal.
A: I'm not into interviews. I just like to play ball and have fun on the court. I don't want to jinx myself. Sometimes interviews kind of get to your head a little bit. I'd rather (leave) that to the stars like Evan (Turner).
Q: Your nickname is A.O., for Automatic Offense. It's very applicable this season. Why are you shooting so well?
A: Over the summer, we all were consistent getting up a lot of shots every day. My teammates are finding me right now, and a lot of (defenders) are helping off on Evan and Jonny D (Jon Diebler). I'm just trying to knock down shots and make it easier for them.
Q: Coach Thad Matta said you gained weight and got stronger lifting weights in the offseason. Has that helped your shooting?
A: It has helped me a lot. It's kind of physical out there and you've got to take those bumps. Lifting (weights) helped me a lot.