One of my favorite overall prospects in the state of Arizona, and a prospect at the top of the 2025 Class continues to see his college recruitment reach new heights. Sandra Day O'Connor High School's talented and promising 6-foot-8 junior forward Michael Simcoe has had an excellent high school career for himself and, after a serious breakout season this year as a junior, Simcoe continues to see his college recruitment take shape, as more college programs begin to jump on board in his recruitment. Recently, Simcoe received his biggest offer yet, as Cal made an offer to Simcoe.
New Cal Head Coach Mark Madsen and his staff have made their commitment to Simcoe, who would be an excellent fit for the Cal program, especially since his ability and playing style mirrors a young Mark Madsen, who had a nice college and NBA career. Simcoe could flourish as a player over time under the leadership of a Mark Madsen. The high academic reputation of Cal-Berkley as an institution should also be very attractive for Simcoe, as he eventually looks to make a college decision.
Simcoe is quickly becoming one of the more sought after recruiting targets in the West for Division-I programs to pursue this spring and summer. I look for him to become one of the hottest prospects in the West, until he makes his college decision.
Simcoe is beginning to compile a nice list of offers for himself as he now also has college offers from the University of Nevada, UC-Irvine, Portland, University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC), Northern Arizona and Southern Utah University to his credit. This is a nice start of offers for Simcoe, but I look for more offers to consistently pour in for him over the next (6) months, as more college coaches turn their recruiting focus to the 2025 Class. College coaches are still primarily focused on the NCAA Transfer Portal and the 2024 Class of college transfer prospects this spring, but Simcoe is a can't miss prospect for Division-I programs, regardless of being a high school prospect.
Simcoe is currently playing on the club circuit with a loaded group of talented prospects for the AZ Select 17U Under Armour-sponsored program this spring and summer, so Simcoe should receive loads of national attention from scouts and media this club season, which he really needs to improve his overall college recruitment and exposure to more D-I college coaches. Simcoe is one of the most attractive looking prospects in the West's 2025 Class - a prospect definitely on the rise in the West and a prospect that could break the Top 100 player rankings nationally, with a strong performance this spring and summer. Simcoe is a very nice talent with excellent promise for the future. His college recruitment will continue to grow for sure, as he is an attractive looking prospect that is fundamentally sound, and can play inside and out. He should receive all levels of college recruitment at the Division-I level.
Simcoe had an impressive junior season for himself in leading his Sandra Day O'Connor High School (21-10) program this season to a big 6A State Championship Runner-Up finish. Simcoe's strong play all season helped this team to numerous big wins, as he led his team in numerous statistical categories and had a big junior season.
I look forward to continue to follow Simcoe this spring and summer, and will continue to keep you posted as his recruitment continues to develop.
Arizona Hoop Review Scouting Report: Simcoe is one of the most attractive looking prospects in Arizona's 2025 Class - a prospect definitely on the rise in Arizona's junior class in the West. Simcoe is a very nice talent with excellent promise for the future. Standing at 6-foot-8 and possessing a strong, muscular frame, Simcoe has a lot to offer as a college prospect. He is also very skilled and has a nice left-handed shooting stroke that allows him to step outside with range and make shots. He has a nice release on his shot, and can get his shot off nicely against defenders, although he rarely sees someone his size in Arizona high school basketball competition. He has very good low-post footwork as well, and, with his left-handed prowess, is able to make plays around the basket effectively, as he is difficult to stop around the basket or inside the paint. Simcoe is also a very strong rebounder that keeps the ball up high for put-backs and is a strong finisher at the rim. He is a very good overall athlete and has good lift off the floor. He runs the floor very well and gets good low-post position in transition. He is a well-rounded and fundamentally sound performer that is well beyond his years physically and plays with very good confidence.
