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G League Grand Rapids Drive

Grand Rapids Drive Acquire Marcus Simmons

January 16, 2017 - NBA G League (G League)
Grand Rapids Drive News Release


GRAND RAPIDS, MICH.- The Grand Rapids Drive, the NBA D-League Affiliate of the Detroit Pistons announced today that the team has acquired Marcus Simmons from the available player pool.

Simmons, the 6-foot-6, 220-pound guard out of University of Southern California (2007-2011) averaged 3.1 points, 2 rebounds, 0.9 assists in 105 games (46 starts) in four years and was the Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Year and made the All-Defensive Team. After going undrafted in the 2011 NBA Draft, he spent a year in Japan with the Yokohama B-Corsairs, a team associated with the Basketball Japan League (bj league). Simmons returned to the USA to be selected on the sixth (6th ) round of the 2012 NBA Development League Draft by the Texas Legends and was later (3 days) traded to the Canton Charge. Once Canton placed him on waivers, Simmons returned to Japan and re-signed with the B-Corsairs in 2013 and averaged 12 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1.2 steals in 34 games during the 2013-14 season. In November 2014, Simmons returned to the D-League, however, this time with the Fort Wayne Mad Ants where in 47 games (2014-15 season), he averaged 4.1 points and 2.7 rebounds per game. In September 2015, Simmons signed with the Chicago Bills but was later waived in October after appearing in two preseason games. Simmons played the 2015-16 season with the Fort Wayne Mad Ants before returning overseas once again.

Simmons joins the team in time to travel to Mississauga, Ontario for the 2017 NBA D-League Showcase that takes place January 18-22 and will wear jersey number 23 while with the Drive.

To make room for Simmons on the Drive roster, Terrence Jennings has been waived.

The Drive will play two games during the 2017 NBA D-League Showcase. - The first game tips-off at 12:30 pm ET against the Raptors 905 on Wed. January 18 and will be available live on NBA TV. - The second match-up will take place on Sat. January 21 at 8:30 pm against the Long Island Nets and will be streamed live on the NBA D-League's Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/nbadleague/).

Following the 2017 NBA D-League Showcase, the Drive will pack their bags once again to complete their month-long road stint before finally returning home to their fans on Wed. February 1 to host the Westchester Knicks at the DeltaPlex Arena (tip-off is at 7 pm, doors open at 6 pm).

Wednesday games are the Drive's $2 Wednesday's presented by Meijer and feature $2 tickets, $2 beer/soda, $2 popcorn.

For ticket information, contact the Drive Box Office at 844-GR-DRIVE (844-473-7483) or go online to www.nbagrandrapids.com.

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