KJ Simpson’s journey back to Colorado
- Mason Vogel
- 3 hours ago
- 2 min read
Former Colorado Buffaloes Men’s Basketball player KJ Simpson was signed to a two-way contract with the Nuggets on Feb. 19.Â
Buffs fans who are also Nuggets fans will be pleased with the signing, as they remember Simpson’s time with the Buffs. Simpson averaged 14.6 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 1.3 steals in 29.6 minutes per game in his three years as a guard at CU.
His shining moment for the Buffs was his game-winner against the Florida Gators in the Round of 64 of the 2024 March Madness tournament. The Buffs went on to lose to Marquette by four points in the Round of 32, and Simpson declared for the NBA Draft in April.
Simpson was drafted 42nd overall by the Charlotte Hornets in the 2024 NBA Draft. He signed a two-way contract with the Hornets on July 7, 2024. He played 50 games for the Hornets before being waived on Feb. 6 of this year. Simpson averaged 7.3 points, 2.8 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.0 steals in 21.3 minutes per game during his time with the Hornets.Â
Simpson also played for the Hornets’ G-League team, the Greensboro Swarm, where he earned a bit more playing time. He played 22 games for the Swarm and averaged 19.2 points, 5.4 rebounds, 4.9 assists and 1.4 steals in 34.6 minutes per game.
Simpson made his debut for the Nuggets on Feb. 20. He played seven minutes and had three points, four assists and one rebound in the Nuggets’ 54-point blowout victory over the Portland Trail Blazers. He did not play against the Warriors on Sunday.Â
Simpson will likely also play for the Nuggets’ G-League team, the Grand Rapids Gold, but hasn’t played a game for them yet.
Simpson will look to get back into the lineup as the Nuggets face the Boston Celtics on Wednesday at Ball Arena.
Cover photo by Roberto Patrick Gerra/Sko Buffs Sports