Jericho Sims
{{Short description|American basketball player (born 1998)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2024}}
{{Infobox basketball biography
| name = Jericho Sims
| image = Jericho Sims.jpg
| caption = Sims with Texas in 2018
| position = Power forward / center
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 10
| weight_lbs = 250
| league = NBA
| team = Milwaukee Bucks
| number = 00
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1998|10|20}}
| birth_place = Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.
| high_school = Cristo Rey Jesuit
(Minneapolis, Minnesota)
| college = Texas (2017–2021)
| draft_year = 2021
| draft_round = 2
| draft_pick = 58
| draft_team = New York Knicks
| career_start = 2021
| years1 = {{nbay|2021|start}}–{{nbay|2024|end}}
| team1 = New York Knicks
| team2 = →Westchester Knicks
| years3 = {{nbay|2024|end}}–present
| team3 = Milwaukee Bucks
| highlights =
}}
Jericho Eduard Sims (born October 20, 1998) is an American professional basketball player for the Milwaukee Bucks of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the Texas Longhorns.
Early life
Sims attended Cristo Rey Jesuit High School in Minneapolis, Minnesota.{{cite web |last1=Merkel |first1=Kaitlin |title=Cristo Rey basketball star drawing big-time college looks |url=https://www.mnbasketballhub.com/news_article/show/605653-cristo-rey-basketball-star-drawing-big-time-college-looks |website=MN Basketball Hub |access-date=May 20, 2021 |date=January 30, 2016}} In his junior season, he averaged 21.8 points, 11.2 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game.{{cite web |title=Jericho Sims – Men's Basketball |url=https://texassports.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/jericho--sims/10346 |website=University of Texas Athletics |access-date=May 20, 2021}} As a senior, he averaged 25 points and 10 rebounds per game.{{cite web |last1=Davis |first1=Brian |title=Quiet Texas freshman Jericho Sims speaking loud enough with his play |url=https://www.statesman.com/SPORTS/20180305/Quiet-Texas-freshman-Jericho-Sims-speaking-loud-enough-with-his-play |website=Austin American-Statesman |access-date=May 20, 2021 |date=March 5, 2018}} Sims left as Cristo Rey Jesuit's all-time leading scorer, with 2,005 points. A consensus four-star recruit, he committed to playing college basketball for Texas, choosing the Longhorns over Minnesota.{{cite web |last1=Fuller |first1=Marcus R. |title=Four-star Cristo Rey forward Jericho Sims commits to Texas over Minnesota |url=https://www.startribune.com/four-star-cristo-rey-forward-jericho-sims-commits-to-texas-over-minnesota/391732671/ |website=Star Tribune |access-date=May 20, 2021 |date=August 30, 2016}}
College career
As a freshman at Texas, Sims averaged five points and 3.9 rebounds per game. He assumed a more important role late in the season after an injury to Mohamed Bamba.{{cite web |last1=Moyle |first1=Nick |title=Texas notebook: Sims blooming in Bamba's absence |url=https://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/college_sports/longhorns/article/Texas-notebook-Sims-blooming-in-Bamba-s-absence-12733630.php |website=San Antonio Express-News |access-date=May 20, 2021 |date=March 6, 2018}} He averaged 4.2 points and 3.6 rebounds per game as a sophomore while missing time with an ankle injury.{{cite web |last1=Moyle |first1=Nick |title=Confident Jericho Sims has been key during Longhorns' strong start |url=https://www.houstonchronicle.com/texas-sports-nation/college/article/Confident-Jericho-Sims-has-been-key-for-UT-14900176.php |website=Houston Chronicle |access-date=May 20, 2021 |date=December 11, 2019}} Sims' junior season was cut short by a stress fracture in his back against Baylor on February 10, 2020.{{cite web |last1=Moyle |first1=Nick |title=Texas hopes F Jericho Sims will soar in his senior season |url=https://www.expressnews.com/sports/college_sports/longhorns/article/Texas-hopes-F-Jericho-Sims-will-soar-in-his-15726070.php |website=San Antonio Express-News |access-date=May 20, 2021 |date=November 13, 2020}} As a junior, he averaged 9.7 points, 8.2 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game, earning All-Big 12 Honorable Mention.{{cite web |last1=Howe |first1=Jeff |title=Leaving Texas, turning pro could be an option for Jericho Sims |url=https://247sports.com/college/texas/Article/Texas-Longhorns-basketball-Jericho-Sims-back-injury-out-indefinitely-2020-NBA-Draft-144114013/ |website=247Sports |access-date=May 20, 2021 |date=February 22, 2020}} On March 13, 2021, Sims posted 21 points and 14 rebounds in a 91–86 win over Oklahoma State at the Big 12 tournament title game.{{cite web |last1=Moore |first1=CJ |title=‘He’s one of one’: Texas’ Jericho Sims has figured out how to dominate, and that’s bad news for everyone else |url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/2448135/2021/03/14/hes-one-of-one-texas-jericho-sims-has-figured-out-how-to-dominate-and-thats-bad-news-for-everyone-else/ |website=The Athletic |access-date=May 20, 2021 |date=March 14, 2021}} He averaged 9.2 points, 7.2 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per game as a senior, receiving All-Big 12 Honorable Mention. Following the season, he declared for the 2021 NBA draft while maintaining his college eligibility.{{cite web |last1=Howe |first1=Jeff |title=Texas forward Jericho Sims files paperwork for NBA draft, doesn't sign with an agent |url=https://247sports.com/college/texas/Article/Jericho-Sims-2021-NBA-Draft-Texas-Longhorns-basketball-files-paperwork-doesnt-hire-agent-165542753/ |website=247Sports |access-date=May 20, 2021 |date=May 18, 2021}} He later signed with Klutch Sports, forgoing his remaining eligibility.{{cite web |last=Taylor |first=Cody |title=NBA draft rising prospect Jericho Sims signs with Klutch Sports |url=https://therookiewire.usatoday.com/2021/06/30/nba-draft-klutch-sports-group-jericho-sims/ |website=USA Today |access-date=July 15, 2021 |date=June 30, 2021}}
Professional career
=New York Knicks (2021–2025)=
Sims was selected in the second round of the 2021 NBA draft with the 58th pick by the New York Knicks.{{cite news|last1=Henry|first1=Ben|title=Former Minneapolis prep athlete Jericho Sims picked in NBA Draft|url=https://kstp.com/minnesota-prep-sports/former-minneapolis-prep-athlete-jericho-sims-selected-in-2021-nba-draft-cristo-rey/6194307/|work=KSTP|date=August 2, 2021|access-date=August 3, 2021|archive-date=August 3, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210803034723/https://kstp.com/minnesota-prep-sports/former-minneapolis-prep-athlete-jericho-sims-selected-in-2021-nba-draft-cristo-rey/6194307/|url-status=dead}} On August 8, 2021, he signed a two-way contract with New York, splitting time with their G League affiliate, the Westchester Knicks.{{cite web|title=Knicks Sign Jericho Sims to Two-Way Contract|url=https://www.nba.com/knicks/front-office-news/knicks-sign-jericho-sims-two-way-contract|website=NBA.com|date=August 8, 2021|access-date=August 14, 2021}} On July 9, 2022, Sims signed a three-year, partially guaranteed contract with the Knicks.{{cite web|title=Knicks Sign Jericho Sims|url=https://www.nba.com/knicks/news/knicks-sign-jericho-sims|website=NBA.com|date=July 9, 2022|access-date=July 11, 2022}}
In February 2023, Sims was selected to replace Portland Trail Blazers rookie Shaedon Sharpe in the Slam Dunk Contest at the 2023 NBA All-Star Game.{{Cite web |last=Chiari |first=Mike |title=Knicks' Jericho Sims and All Participants Revealed for 2023 NBA Slam Dunk Contest |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10064532-knicks-jericho-sims-and-all-participants-revealed-for-2023-nba-slam-dunk-contest |access-date=2023-02-16 |website=Bleacher Report |language=en}} Sims did not make it past the first round.
=Milwaukee Bucks (2025–present)=
On February 6, 2025, Sims was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks as part of a multi-team trade.{{cite web|url=https://www.nba.com/bucks/news/milwaukee-bucks-acquire-kyle-kuzma-and-jericho-sims-in-multi-team-trade|title=Milwaukee Bucks Acquire Kyle Kuzma and Jericho Sims in Multi-Team Trade|work=NBA.com|date=February 6, 2025|accessdate=February 7, 2025}} He made 14 appearances for the Bucks, averaging 2.4 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 0.8 assists. On March 17, Sims was ruled out for the remainder of the regular season after undergoing surgery to repair a torn ligament in his right thumb.{{Cite web|title=Milwaukee Bucks center Jericho Sims undergoes thumb surgery|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/44296002/milwaukee-bucks-center-jericho-sims-undergoes-thumb-surgery|access-date=April 8, 2025|website=espn.com|language=en}}
Career statistics
{{NBA player statistics legend}}
=NBA=
==Regular season==
{{NBA player statistics start}}
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| {{nbay|2021}}
| style="text-align:left;"| New York
| 41 || 5 || 13.5 || .722 || — || .414 || 4.1 || .5 || .3 || .5 || 2.2
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| {{nbay|2022}}
| style="text-align:left;"| New York
| 52 || 16 || 15.6 || .776 || .000 || .750 || 4.7 || .5 || .3 || .5 || 3.4
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| {{nbay|2023}}
| style="text-align:left;"| New York
| 45 || 11 || 13.0 || .691 || — || .667 || 3.3 || .6 || .2 || .4 || 2.0
|-
| style="text-align:left;" rowspan=2| {{nbay|2024}}
| style="text-align:left;"| New York
| 39 || 5 || 10.8 || .609 || — || .615 || 3.3 || .6 || .2 || .3 || 1.6
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| Milwaukee
| 14 || 0 || 15.0 || .680 || — || — || 4.9 || .8 || .1 || .6 || 2.4
|- class="sortbottom"
| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"| Career
| 191 || 37 || 13.5 || .714 || .000 || .585 || 4.0 || .5 || .2 || .5 || 2.4
{{S-end}}
==Playoffs==
{{NBA player statistics start}}
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 2024
| style="text-align:left;"| New York
| 5 || 0 || 5.5 || 1.000 || {{sort|-|—}} || .750 || 1.6 || .2 || .4 || .2 || 1.4
|- class="sortbottom"
| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"| Career
| 5 || 0 || 5.5 || 1.000 || — || .750 || 1.6 || .2 || .4 || .2 || 1.4
{{S-end}}
=College=
{{NBA player statistics start}}
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 2017–18
| style="text-align:left;"| Texas
| 34 || 11 || 18.5 || .607 || .000 || .426 || 3.9 || .2 || .3 || .5 || 5.0
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 2018–19
| style="text-align:left;"| Texas
| 35 || 16 || 14.9 || .569 || – || .600 || 3.6 || .2 || .2 || .5 || 4.2
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 2019–20
| style="text-align:left;"| Texas
| 24 || 24 || 27.3 || .658 || – || .592 || 8.2 || .8 || .4 || 1.2 || 9.7
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 2020–21
| style="text-align:left;"| Texas
| 26 || 26 || 24.5 || .696 || – || .520 || 7.2 || .7 || .7 || 1.1 || 9.2
|- class="sortbottom"
| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"| Career
| 119 || 77 || 20.5 || .639 || .000 || .524 || 5.4 || .4 || .4 || .8 || 6.6
{{S-end}}
Personal life
Sims' father, Charles, played college basketball for Minnesota before becoming a dentist. Two of his brothers also played NCAA Division I basketball: Ty at Kansas State and Jason at Northern Iowa. Another brother, Dominique, played college football for Minnesota.{{cite web |last1=Fuller |first1=Marcus R. |title=Jericho Sims, ex-Gopher’s son, is Minnesota’s fastest rising hoops star |url=https://www.twincities.com/2016/05/06/ex-gopher-jericho-sims-is-fastest-rising-hoops-player-in-minnesota/ |website=St. Paul Pioneer Press |access-date=May 20, 2021 |date=May 6, 2016}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [https://texassports.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/jericho--sims/10346 Texas Longhorns bio]
- {{commonscatinline}}
{{Milwaukee Bucks current roster}}
{{2021 NBA draft}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Sims, Jericho}}
Category:21st-century American sportsmen
Category:American men's basketball players
Category:Basketball players from Minneapolis
Category:Milwaukee Bucks players
Category:New York Knicks draft picks
Category:New York Knicks players