DeShawn Sims
DeShawn Adrian Sims Jr. (born January 21, 1988) is an American basketball coach and former professional basketball player. He is the head coach at Pershing High School and last played for Pistoia of the Serie A2 Basket. He has previously played for Sagesse and Champville of the Lebanese Basketball League, as well as teams in Greece, Korea, Israel and Puerto Rico after a career with the Michigan Wolverines men's basketball team. In high school, he became Associated Press Class A Player of the Year, a Jordan Brand All-American and a fourth team Parade All-American. At Michigan he became a second-team All-Big Ten Conference selection. He had signed a free-agent contract with the Boston Celtics for whom he played in the Orlando Summer League in addition to playing for the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA Summer League. He became a 2011 D-League All-Star and NBA Development League Rookie of the Year.
Sims in 2010 | |
| Pershing High School | |
|---|---|
| League | Detroit Public School League |
| Personal information | |
| Born | January 21, 1988 Detroit, Michigan |
| Nationality | American |
| Listed height | 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) |
| Listed weight | 225 lb (102 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school | Pershing (Detroit, Michigan) |
| College | Michigan (2006–2010) |
| NBA draft | 2010: undrafted |
| Playing career | 2010–2022 |
| Position | Forward |
| Number | 16 |
| Coaching career | 2024–present |
| Career history | |
| As player: | |
| 2010 | PAOK |
| 2010–2011 | Maine Red Claws |
| 2011 | Piratas de Quebradillas |
| 2011–2012 | Jeonju KCC Egis |
| 2012 | Maine Red Claws |
| 2012–2013 | Sagesse |
| 2013–2014 | Hapoel Gilboa Galil |
| 2014–2015 | Jeonju KCC Egis |
| 2015–2016 | Champville Maristes |
| 2016 | Maccabi Kiryat Gat |
| 2016–2017 | NPC Rieti |
| 2017–2018 | Eurobasket Roma |
| 2018–2020 | Biella |
| 2020–2022 | Pistoia |
| As coach: | |
| 2024–present | Pershing |
| Career highlights and awards | |
During the 2008-09 NCAA Division I men's basketball season, Sims ranked among the leaders in the Big Ten Conference in rebounds per game, points per game and Field goal percentage. He led the 2008–09 Michigan Wolverines men's basketball team in rebounding and scoring in victories over two top-five ranked teams as a college junior, which enabled them to earn a place in the national rankings for the first time in nearly three years. In addition, while the team was on the proverbial bubble, he led the team in scoring in each of the last five games before the 2009 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament, including the only other regular season victory of the season against a ranked opponent. At the conclusion of the 2008–09 Big Ten Conference men's basketball season he was named to the second team All-Big Ten team by the media and the third team by the coaches.
Prior to the beginning of the 2009-10 NCAA Division I men's basketball season, Sims was one of two members (along with Manny Harris) of the 2009–10 Michigan Wolverines men's basketball team named among the 50 preseason Wooden Award watch list nominees. At the conclusion of 2009–10 Big Ten Conference regular season he was recognized as a second-team All-Big Ten selection by both the coaches and the media. Sims concluded the season as the Big Ten Conference leader in offensive rebounds.