Simmons focused on program awareness
Courtney Simmons, flanked by Athletics Director Treyvean Scott (left) and GSU President Rick Gallot, has been busy on the recruiting trail and networking with NBA officials over the last month – trying to grow GSU’s brand anyway she can. Photo courtesy of GSU
GRAMBLING — Time flies when you’re having fun – or building a program’s brand across the country.
And in the case of Courtney Simmons, it’s one and the same, with life in hotels and living rooms becoming the norm since officially becoming the new Grambling State women’s basketball coach in early April.
Simmons, hailing from Troy University, has been all over the state, and country, planting the Grambling State name in the minds of recruits, NBA officials, and anyone else who cares to listen as she still sits in the early stages of her vision for the program rebuild.
For as ready as she sounds for a needed break, Simmons wants everyone to know GSU women’s basketball is coming and wants to spread the news.
Whether it’s been flipping pancakes to students before finals or participating in Fried Chicken Wednesday at the GSU dining halls, Simmons knows exposure can set an HBCU program apart and has been intentional in showing her face in the community.
But there might not have been a better spotlight to put on GSU than her experience at the NBA Draft Combine alongside GSU men’s coach Donte Jackson in Chicago.
The duo rubbed shoulders with NBA owners, coaches, player development staff, and draft prospects at the event, even coaching players during scrimmages to help evaluators get their best assessment of players.
And of course, Simmons made her program’s message and logo visible throughout the week, wearing team gear to every single event she attended.
"That was something I can’t even put into words,” Simmons said. “When you think about the NBA, you think professional. It was a pro experience. That’s as best as I can say it. Everything was first class. For Coach Jackson and I, we just wanted to meet as many people as possible and network – get the Grambling State brand out on a stage where people can see us.”
Simmons had the opportunity to shadow 5-time NBA champion for the Los Angeles Lakers Derek Fisher at the combine, with Fisher even taking her to dinner to share advice on how to develop players and get a leg up in her program rebuild.
By the end of the combine, Simmons said if a staff member didn’t hear about GSU, they must not have been listening.
“By the end of the week, I had everybody saying THE Grambling State University,” Simmons said with a laugh. “There was actually an owner who asked me, ‘When did they start calling it THE Grambling State?’ And I said, ‘about 20 minutes ago when I started introducing myself.’ And everybody laughed. But man, any tidbit or sprinkle it in, I do it.”
As if the NBA Draft Combine’s exposure wasn’t enough, Simmons said both her and Jackson plan to attend a Memphis Grizzlies practice later in the summer.
Roster full of surprises
Simmons completed her 2023-24 roster with her final signing Wednesday, and while the official names won’t be revealed until later in the week, she wants fans to get ready for exciting talent.
“We have completed the roster and, on paper, we look pretty good,” Simmons said.
Without names, how would Simmons describe the makeup of her squad for her first season?
“This is a redemption squad,” Simmons said. “A lot of the kids we signed are not necessarily second chance kids, but they’re fighting for the opportunity and even some of the kids returning from last year’s team. These kids feel like they deserve a chance and all the kids we signed are looking to prove a lot of people wrong. This is a group that’s ready to work.”
Tiger fight?
Along with recruiting and NBA Draft work, Simmons has also needed to send early feelers out to fill the 2023-24 schedule.
Among those at the top of her wish list? Kim Mulkey and the defending national champions LSU Tigers.
“We tried to get them on the schedule and we’re still trying to get them on the schedule right now,” Simmons said. “ They’re so incredibly busy – they’re at the White House today, so if they don’t have time right now, I understand it.
“But, I actually sent the photo of them at the White House to my team in our group chat and I just said, ‘One Day’ to just get the ball rolling in our group chat.
Grambling and LSU have not played since 2012, with the SEC squad owning the all-time series 4-0.
