Getting to know Simeon's Stan Simpson

Center Stan Simpson is a key player for Simeon and an Illinois recruit.
(John Booz/For the Sun-Times)

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You didn’t play basketball until high school. On a scale of 1 to 10, how far along are you in your development? Eight. I have developed my offensive game a lot. I have good instincts for blocking shots and rebounding. I want to be better on my IQ of the game.

Coach Robert Smith said you remind him of Derrick Rose because you want to learn the game. What are your goals? I want to lead my team to the state championship, I want to go to college and win the NCAA title, and I want to have a long and successful NBA career.

Who is your favorite player? I’m a Dallas Mavericks fan. My favorite player is Dirk Nowitzki. He’s a 7-footer who can put the ball on the floor and is a good passer. Like me, he started late in basketball.

Coach Smith also said you have made this team better, that it wouldn’t be at this point without you. How does that make you feel? It makes me feel good because I think I’m a leader. Coach said I can be one of the best players in college if I play hard every time, even in practice.

Why is Coach Smith so successful? He takes all the time in the world to teach the game. He gives back to the kids. He told me to play for myself and everybody around me, including my family. And he tells us to succeed in the classroom as much as on the basketball floor.

Why Illinois? I chose Illinois over Arkansas and Indiana. I like Coach [Bruce] Weber and his assistants. I think his style of play is the best fit for me. And I like the players, especially Calvin Brock and Demetri McCamey.

What do you have to do to help Illinois’ program? Develop a killer instinct on the court. I have to lift weights and get stronger for the Big Ten. I’m 6-9 and weigh 220 pounds. I want to get up to 235-240 in college.

Would you rather block a shot or make one? Block a shot. I’d rather stop the other team from scoring. We have other guys who will score.

What is the aura of Simeon basketball? Greatness. Every time you come from a game, people talk about other players who played here — Nick Anderson, Ben Wilson, Deon Thomas, Derrick Rose. It feels special to be a part of this type of program. I want to have people talking about me after I leave school.

Superstition? I pray before every game.

What is your NBA dream? Five years from now, I’d like to be playing with LeBron James and the Cavaliers.

What don’t people know about you? I loosen the team up and make them laugh. I’m silly at times and like to crack jokes on everybody.

Best book you’ve read? Second Coming: The Strange Odyssey of Michael Jordan.

When you transferred to Simeon from Leo after your junior year, did you ever dream you would be in this position today? I thought we had enough talent to win again. If I had it to do over again, I would have gone to Simeon as a freshman.