Sunnyslope High School is absolutely loaded with talent again this high school season, and the Vikings will look to compete for this year's Open Division State Championship. After a season last year where the team finished with a 20-9 overall record on the season, Head Coach Ray Portela will have one of his best teams ever, once again, this season, as the Vikings will have a very talented lineup. Sunnyslope's 6-foot-8 junior Cristian Simmons has started for Sunnyslope since entering the high school ranks two years ago, and now he will look to have a breakout season, in what will be the most important season of his young career.
Simmons has had a strong high school career thus far for himself, as he has played a nice role in his first two seasons for a talented team and program, that will compete annually for an Open Division State Championship. After an excellent freshman season where he was a freshman starter and helped the Vikings to a strong Open Division State Championship runner-up finish, he returned for his sophomore season for a much more talented team, and produced similar numbers. Simmons was an integral part of Sunnyslope's state championship quest the last two seasons, as he was immediately inserted into the Viking's starting lineup as a mere freshman, alongside other top-rated fellow freshmen John Mattingly and Rider Portela. Last season, as a sophomore, the Vikings added two 2027 studs to their lineup in Darius Wabbington and Delton Prescott. With two more elite performers in the Vikings' lineup, Simmons found his way and contributed similar numbers as a sophomore, although his numbers dropped some. While not being relied on heavily again to score a great deal, Simmons would contribute solid numbers once again for the Vikings.
Simmons is prepared to have a breakout season for the Vikings as a junior, as he had loads of varsity experience and also club experience, going into this season. This spring and summer, Simmons played for a loaded Compton Magic 16U team that competed on the Adidas 3SSB circuit against stiff competition in each event. Simmons had a good showing for himself, as he continued to show very good versatility and an advanced offensive skillset. At 6-foot-8, Simmons is a bigger stretch forward with a soft touch from the perimeter, and a crafty ability to score around the basket. He still has excellent upside for the future and is still growing a great deal. Simmons is a good low post performer that can score with his back to the basket, and also has a soft touch from the perimeter with range. He also has good low post footwork and solid low post skills that will continue to develop over time. He is an active rebounder and also runs the floor well. He is a solid finisher now, but will continue to become a better finisher over time with natural maturity and improved physical strength and explosiveness. Simmons also has very strong basketball bloodlines, as he is the son of former GCU star player Shelton Simmons.
Simmons is a very intriguing prospect as a result of his size, offensive skillset and versatility as a player. While his best years are still well ahead of him, as he should mature a great deal physically over the next two years - blossoming into another serious Division-I prospect in Arizona's talented 2026 Class.
This season will be an important one for Simmons, as he looks to have a breakout season for Sunnyslope, and also improve his overall college recruitment in preparation for next spring and summer. The 2026 Class is very talented and Simmons is one of the better prospects in the class, but he will need to continue to work very hard to help him make the next jump in his play and overall production.
I will continue to follow Simmons closely this high school season, as he looks to help lead his Vikings to this season's Open Division State Championship.