The 2023-24 season for Rutgers basketball has concluded, prompting Scarlet Nation to reflect on the standout players of the past season. This time, our focus shifts to the fifth-ranked player, Derek Simpson, who completed his second year with the Scarlet Knights, initially making notable contributions off the bench during his freshman year.
Derek Simpson, a point guard, participated in 32 games during his sophomore year. He maintained an average of 8.3 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 2.9 assists per game, despite a field goal shooting percentage of 30.5% and a three-point shooting percentage of 28.2%.
Originally from Lenape High in Mount Laurel, New Jersey, Simpson was a three-star prospect with a 247Sports rating of 86. He was recognized as the No. 40-ranked point guard and the No. 8-ranked prospect from New Jersey in the class of 2022. Simpson committed to Rutgers on August 8, 2021, choosing the Scarlet Knights over offers from Albany, Arizona State, Bowling Green, Delaware, Fairfield, Northeastern, Old Dominion, Rider, St. Joseph’s, and St. Bonaventure.
Throughout the season, Simpson took on a more significant role as a regular starter, given the significant changes occurring in the Rutgers backcourt from the previous season. Despite struggling to consistently make shots, Simpson demonstrated flashes of offensive prowess, particularly in games such as the 85-63 victory over Howard, where he scored a season-high 23 points, and the 69-59 comeback win over Michigan, where he contributed 19 points.
Notably, Simpson made significant defensive contributions, ranking as the No. 7 player in the Big Ten with a defensive rating of 98.9 and the No. 4 player in the league with a steal percentage of 3.1%. Additionally, as one of Rutgers’ main guards, Simpson led the team with an average of 2.9 assists per game.
In a move signaling a new chapter in his basketball career, Simpson, along with fellow sophomores Antwone Woolfolk and Antonio Chol, entered the transfer portal. Simpson’s entry into the portal led to his re-ranking as a three-star prospect with an 87 247Sports rating. Subsequently, he made the decision to commit to St. Joseph’s, a member of the Atlantic-10 conference, and still has two years of college eligibility remaining.
Derek Simpson’s journey through his sophomore year at Rutgers has been filled with both challenges and successes. As he moves on to embrace new opportunities at St. Joseph’s, the Rutgers community looks back on his contributions to the team and eagerly anticipates the achievements that lie ahead for this talented athlete.