Jackson Simmons, a local prep standout and Western Carolina legacy, has returned to Catamount men's basketball as part of first-year head coach Tim Craft's staff. Simmons, who previously served as the director of basketball operations for the Catamounts, re-joins the coaching team, bringing extensive experience from his time with the Charlotte Hornets NBA team. He is part of a coaching staff that includes former Catamount assistant Andre Gray and others who worked alongside Craft at Gardner-Webb. Simmons, a graduate of the University of North Carolina, is also a four-year letter winner at North Carolina and a two-time recipient of the Marvin Williams Carolina Way Award. He was also inducted into the Jackson County Hall of Fame in 2016. Both of his parents were WCU student-athletes, making him a Catamount legacy.

By the Numbers
  • Served on the Charlotte Hornets NBA team from 2018 to 2024
  • Director of basketball operations for the Catamounts from July 2017 to April 2018
  • A four-year letter winner at North Carolina, appearing in 115 career games
State of Play
  • Jackson Simmons has returned to Western Carolina University as part of the men's basketball coaching staff
  • He brings extensive experience from his time with the Charlotte Hornets NBA team
  • Simmons is a legacy at Western Carolina University, with both of his parents being former student-athletes
Bottom Line

Jackson Simmons, a local standout and legacy at Western Carolina, has returned to his alma mater to contribute to the men's basketball program, bringing with him a wealth of experience from both collegiate and professional levels.