DeShawn Sims : All posts

Former Michigan athletes deal with NFL, NBA lockouts

Former Michigan basketball player Manny Harris said that, despite the lockout in the NBA, he’s not planning on playing overseas. The same can’t be said of his former Wolverines teammate DeShawn Sims.

After being named the NBA Development League Rookie of the Year last year with the Maine Red Claws, Sims is trying out for teams in Europe, according to Harris.

“He’s basically preparing to go overseas, so he’s got some teams he’s trying out for,” Sims said. “He’s like a brother to me, we talk almost every day.”

The pro adventure: Where and how Michigan basketball players fared in the pros this year

At least 16 former Michigan basketball players played some sort of professional basketball in 2010-11, ranging from the NBA to leagues in China, Mexico and Puerto Rico.

While no one bounced around quite like Courtney Sims did last year -- this year he played on two teams and had some more stability -- there was some movement and some former Wolverines competing for league titles.

So, where are they?

Portland Press Herald: Ex-Michigan basketball player DeShawn Sims is NBA Development League Rookie of the Year

Former Michigan basketball player DeShawn Sims was named on Friday the NBA Development League Rookie of the Year.

Sims, playing for the Maine Red Claws, led all rookies by averaging 20.3 points a game, fourth-best overall in the league. Sims played at Michigan from 2007-2010.

Former Michigan forward DeShawn Sims heads to the D-League

DeShawn Sims

DeShawn Sims returned from Greece earlier this month looking for a different route to his basketball career.

Now, the former Michigan forward has found a new home.

The 6-foot-8 Sims tweeted on Tuesday that he was on the way to Maine to play for the NBA Developmental League team.

"Headed to Maine people," Sims tweeted. "Come visit!"

The Maine Red Claws currently have five forwards, including former Oklahoma star Tiny Gallon and former Syracuse standout Paul Harris. Sims will also see a familiar face when he arrives as former Minnesota guard Lawrence Westbrook was selected by Maine in the third round this year.

Maine, currently 1-1, plays at Springfield, Mass. on Friday and Saturday. The Red Claws travel to Fort Wayne, Ind. - the closest D-League team to Ann Arbor - on Jan. 1 and 2. The Red Claws are coached by Austin Ainge, the son of former NBA player Danny Ainge.

PAOK in Greece: Former Michigan forward DeShawn Sims signs to play in Greece

Former Michigan basketball forward DeShawn Sims signed with CDE PAOK of Greece, according to the team's website.

Sims, who averaged 16.8 points and 7.6 rebounds a game last season with Michigan, played for the Boston Celtics summer league team.

Former Michigan basketball forward DeShawn Sims invited to Celtics training camp

Former Michigan basketball forward DeShawn Sims is heading to camp.

"I got invited to Celtics training camp," Sims said in a text message Tuesday.

It is the latest stop on Sims' attempt to find a professional home after not being selected in June's two-round NBA Draft.

Associated Press: Michigan basketball's Manny Harris, DeShawn Sims are free agents

Michigan star Manny Harris skipped his senior season to chase his dream of playing in the NBA.

He'll have to do it as an undrafted player after getting snubbed Thursday night.

Manny Harris and DeShawn Sims share Michigan's Most Valuable Player award

A year ago, Manny Harris was named Michigan’s Most Valuable Player. In a show of kindness and brotherhood, he then shared the award with his best friend and teammate, DeShawn Sims.

On Monday, in the final Michigan awards banquet for both of them, Sims returned the favor, winning the Most Valuable Player Award and then sharing it with Harris.

In many ways, it was fitting. Sims and Harris have seemingly been joined together as one since Sims arrived four years ago and then Harris followed him a year later.

DeShawn Sims calls the Portsmouth Invitational "a great experience"

DeShawn Sims knew he’d be in a position to show off his skills and by the end of the three-game Portsmouth Invitational this week, it was evident the former Michigan forward had done just that.

He led his team, Portsmouth Sports Club, in scoring. He started two out of the three games his team played and often, he felt like guards were looking for him either on a fast break or in the half court. Overall, he deemed it “a great experience.”

Early on, he got the feeling it could be a good week.

Former Michigan forward DeShawn Sims finishes strong in Portsmouth

Former Michigan forward DeShawn Sims saved his best game for his final game in Portsmouth.

Sims, a 6-foot-8 forward playing for the Portsmouth Sports Club, scored a team-high 21 points, grabbed seven rebounds and had two steals. His team also finally won a game, beating Cherry, Bekaert & Holland, 94-83.

DeShawn Sims starts trying to make it as a professional basketball player tonight in Portsmouth

DeShawn Sims’ dreams for a future in professional basketball will begin in something similar to the place he started - a high school basketball gym.

The Portsmouth Invitational Tournament, an annual gathering of seniors trying to find pro homes in the NBA or Europe, kicks off today in Virginia. Sims, a four-year standout for the Wolverines, will play in the four-day, three-game event for the Portsmouth Sports Club.

“I’m excited about it,” Sims said last week. “I’m excited to be able to showcase, show my skills.”

Former Michigan forward DeShawn Sims to play for Portsmouth Sports Club next week

The first stop in DeShawn Sims' professional career will allow him to see some faces that, if things had gone different, could have joined him at Michigan.

When Sims plays for Portsmouth Sports Club next week in the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament in Virginia, he'll be joined by former Notre Dame point guard Tory Jackson and West Virginia guard Da'Sean Butler.

video: Michigan forward DeShawn Sims on why Michigan wasn't as physical as Michigan State

'His Brother's Keeper:' Michigan forward DeShawn Sims plays for his brother and his family

Michigan basketball senior DeShawn Sims, shown on Senior Night last week, impresses his coach, John Beilein. “He’s grown a lot, a lot as a young man and will forever be one of my favorite players, just from the standpoint of personality,” Beilein said. (Photo: Lon Horwedel | AnnArbor.com)

Earlier this week, DeShawn Sims and two friends - Dior Gammage and Cortez Sanders - were driving around Detroit on a rare trip home from Ann Arbor when everybody in the car went silent. Chatter ceased.

That's a "Marcus Moment."

Memories of Marcus Pruitt, Sims’ younger brother who was murdered three months into Sims’ freshman year at Michigan, return randomly and with varying frequency these days.

“He has those moments every now and then where it’s like ‘Man, I just can’t believe my best friend, he’s gone,’” Gammage said. “If something happens, you’re going to have those times, and it was one of those times where it just hit him.”

The timing of the latest Marcus Moment made sense. Sims played his final home game for the Wolverines days earlier, closing a chapter in his life that began with the biggest tragedy he's faced.

After dominant performance, Michigan basketball players wonder where moxie has been all year

Michigan players, lead by Stu Douglass, walk past the Michigan fans giving them high fives prior to their final home game of the season, Tuesday night March 2nd, at Crisler Arena.

Lon Horwedel | AnnArbor.com

In one second, DeShawn Sims said he didn’t wonder why Michigan could play so well against Minnesota when the Wolverines vanished in so many other games this season.

Then, just as quickly he admitted, yeah, he thought about it.

VIDEO: Michigan basketball forward DeShawn Sims breaks down his final home regular season performance

updated: Michigan basketball team blows out Minnesota on Senior Day, 83-55

Michigan junior guard Manny Harris, left, drives past Minnesota's Paul Carter on Tuesday in the second half of the Wolverines' 83-55 victory. (Photo: Lon Horwedel | AnnArbor.com)

After the way Michigan played against Minnesota in an 83-55 thrashing of the Gophers and their NCAA tournament hopes, he and the rest of the Wolverines had little to be upset about.

For the first time since the last time Michigan played Minnesota on Feb. 11, the Wolverines looked like the team most thought they’d be in the preseason. Unsurprisingly, it was led by the senior forward, Sims, who had carried Michigan through many games this year.

VIDEO: Michigan forward DeShawn Sims reflects on his upcoming senior day

VIDEO: Michigan guard Zack Novak tells a funny DeShawn Sims story

NOTEBOOK: Anthony Wright not coming back for fifth year and DeShawn Sims to Portsmouth

Anthony Wright has one more year of eligibility with the Michigan basketball team remaining, but it sounds like the senior from Sterling, Va. won’t be using it.

Wright redshirted his freshman year at Michigan after being recruited by Tommy Amaker, but hasn’t played much this season, averaging career-lows in minutes (nine) and points (1.4).