Chippewas Sign Cadillac's John Simons

MOUNT PLEASANT - Central Michigan University men's basketball coach Ernie Zeigler has announced the signing of 6-foot-8, 210-pound forward John Simons of Cadillac (Mich.) High School to a National Letter of Intent.

“We are very pleased to have John join our basketball family,” Central Michigan coach Ernie Zeigler said. “He is a great pickup for us with his overall versatility, high basketball IQ and toughness. He has the ability to play facing the basket and he’s an adept passer and shooter. We are extremely excited to have his skill set on our front line.

“John comes from a long line of basketball players in his family. They are rooted here in Mount Pleasant and we are looking forward to him growing in our program.”

As a junior at Cadillac High School, John Simons averaged 23 points, eight rebounds, two assists and two steals per game. The Vikings were 20-5 and won a Class B regional championship in 2011.

Simons was named second-team all-state by the Detroit Free Press, fourth-team by bankhoops.com and honorable mention by the Associated Press.

Simons' coach at Cadillac High School is Jeff McDonald and he plays AAU ball for the Grand Rapids Storm and head coach Jason Martin.