Kentucky-Bound Briscoe, LSU Signee Simmons Among Naismith Semifinalists

Kentucky-bound point guard Isaiah Briscoe and LSU-bound forward Ben Simmons were among those named semifinalists for the Naismith Boys’ High School Player of the Year Trophy.

The 6-foot-3 Briscoe and the 6-10 Simmons will face off Friday night when Roselle (N.J.) Catholic meets Montverde (FL) Academy in the Metro Classic at Kean University.

Simmons is projected as the No. 2 pick in the 2016 NBA Draft by DraftExpress.com, and Briscoe as the No. 10 pick.

Their future schools went head-to-head Tuesday night when No. 1 Kentucky (24-0) remained unbeaten with a 71-69 victory at LSU.

Uncommitted forward Jaylen Brown , projected as the No. 1 pick in 2016, was also named a Naismith semifinalist, along with, Dwayne Bacon (Florida State), Cheick Diallo (uncommitted), Henry Ellenson (Marquette), Chase Jeter (Duke), Malik Newman (uncommitted), Allonzo Trier (Arizona) and Stephen Zimmerman (uncommitted) were also named semifinalists.

Written by Adam Zagoria

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Adam Zagoria is a Basketball Insider who covers basketball at all levels. A contributor to The New York Times and SportsNet New York (SNY), he is also the author of two books and is an award-winning journalist and filmmaker. His articles have appeared in ESPN The Magazine, SLAM, Sheridan Hoops, Basketball Times and in newspapers nationwide. He also won an Emmy award for his work on the SNY mini-documentary on Syracuse guard Tyus Battle. A veteran Ultimate Frisbee player, he has competed in numerous National and World Championships and, perhaps more importantly, his teams won the Westchester Summer League (WSL) championships in 2011 and 2013. He lives in Manhattan with his wife and children.