Central Michigan University Athletics
Former Chippewa Heads to Czech Republic
1/2/2017 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Andy Sneddon, CMUChippewas.com
ST. LOUIS – Rayshawn Simmons’ foray into coaching lasted about two weeks.
With good reason.
Simmons, a former Central Michigan basketball standout, has signed with Orli Prostejov of the Czech Republic National Basketball League. He was scheduled to fly to depart St. Louis for Europe on Monday afternoon.
“It’s a huge blessing,” said Simmons, a 6-foot-4 guard. “Hard work does pay off. Very excited, very excited. I’m eager to get over there.”
Simmons had joined the coaching staff as an assistant at his alma mater, Webster Groves (Mo.) High School, in early December. On New Year’s Day, he woke up to a text message from his agent that a contract with Oril Prostejov was imminent.
Simmons is a mid-season addition to the Oril Prostejov roster. Teams in the Czech Republic are limited in the number of foreigners they may have on the roster at any given time. Simmons said he doesn’t know any of his new teammates, his coach, or much about the league or the Czech Republic.
His only international travel consists of bus rides through Ontario with the Chippewas on road trips to Buffalo.
“It’s just basketball at the end of the day -- just like anywhere else, just like I’ve been doing the last 20 years,” he said.
Simmons, 23, joined coach Keno Davis’ program for the 2013-14 season. In three years at CMU, Simmons established a reputation as a dependable and versatile combo guard, averaging 8.7 points, 3.8 assists and 3.7 rebounds per game.
He was a captain in both his junior and senior seasons and played a major role in his career in the resurgence of the program, helping it go from a 10-win team in his first year on campus to back-to-back Mid-American Conference West champions and a regular-season MAC title.
Simmons, who graduated with a degree in sports management, played in July with the Washington Wizards summer league team. He has continued to work out with the hopes of landing a professional contract.
His coaching experience, he said, gave him the opportunity to stay in shape while working out at his high school. It also gave him a new perspective, and it’s something he may be able to put in practice as he begins his professional career.
“That helped me see the game from a different aspect,” he said. “It made me realize how much of a struggle I might have been (as a player). Doing exactly what (coaches) say and listening.”
