Anfernee Simons, the 6-foot-4 guard from IMG Academy, visited Tennessee on Saturday and witnessed the Vols’ 76-65 victory over No. 17 Kentucky at Thompson-Boling Arena.
“The Tennessee visit went well and they told me I can be a difference-maker,” Simons said Monday.
Since de-committing from Louisville in September in the wake of the FBI investigation, Simons, ranked No. 8 in the 2018 ESPN 100, said in addition to Tennessee he’s also been hearing from N.C. State, SMU, Dayton, Florida, UCLA and South Carolina, among others.
“I can make a real big impact right away and get them to a higher level because they’re on the verge of becoming big-time,” Simons said of the Volunteers in November.
Simons also said in November he plans to take his visits in January and February and then commit, “probably in the spring.”
The whole Tennesse coaching staff watched Simons play Dec. 6. Simons went for 22 points in a 90-60 victory over Bristol Prep (Tenn.)
Simons is also eligible for the 2018 NBA Draft and now has the option of going to college or the NBA, the latter of which he will consider “if the opportunity is there.” He turns 19 in June and is one year removed from his high school graduating class, thus making him draft-eligible.
ESPN currently projects Simons as the No. 5 pick in the 2019 Draft.
Meantime, Simons and IMG Academy will take the national stage for a pair of games this weekend. On Saturday, they play in the Big Apple Basketball Invitational in New York City. On Sunday, IMG plays Vermont Academy in the Hoophall Classic in Springfield, Mass.
