Meet the Newest Husky: Desmond Simmons

Height: 6 feet, 7 inches

Weight: 210 pounds

School: Salesian (Richmond, CA)

Club: Oakland Soldiers

Projected Position: Wing

Rankings: ESPN: 89, Scout: 4 Star, Rivals: 3 Star

Desmond Simmons' letter of intent arrived at the University of Washington today, following through on the verbal he made back in May. Simmons is a long, talented kid and has the potential to be a contributor on next year's squad if he works on his outside game in the coming year. He has played the post for the previous three seasons in high school, but this year he says he is moving to the wing because that's where coach Romar sees him playing as a Husky. He's been tabbed as the potential successor to Quincy Pondexter's role, and while his skill set isn't to that level yet, it could be down the road.

Depending on how the rest of the recruiting class shakes out, Simmons might be in a situation similar to what Darnell Gant encountered on arrival. For instance, if the Huskies pull off signing Terrence Jones, he would in all likelihood be the guy to come in and replace Pondexter's production, which would leave Simmons in a bit of a limbo situation. He could play a few minutes here and there, sure, or he could do what Gant did, and now C.J. Wilcox is doing and redshirt and perhaps come back as a second year freshman and compete for a starting spot. If Jones signs elsewhere Simmons will likely be the top prospect in the 2010 class.

UW only has 2 "available" scholarships, with Pondexter graduating, and Charles Garcia not qualifying. Typically this means that 3 players will end up signing, but unless Terrence Jones makes up his mind the early signing period is all but over for the Huskies.

[Ed: Here's some more on Simmons]

His high school numbers:

Junior: 18.2 points. 12.6 rebounds

Sophomore: 14.7 points and 8.5 rebounds

Freshman 9.5 points and 6.7 rebounds

Another bit about Simmons is that by all accounts he, as is typical for Lorenzo Romar's recruits, is a high character kid. Everyone who has interviewed him or spoken to him has come away with only good things to say. He's exactly the kind of person you want playing for your school.

"Desmond Simmons is his own guy but he in a lot of ways reminds us of Bobby Jones because he brings a lot of energy into the game," said Romar. "His motor is always running at a high level and he is tough - both mentally and physically. He will bring a dimension to our team that we are maybe lacking a little bit. He also understands what being on a team is all about and he'll be a leader for us before too long."