Hansen Signs Bradley, Simmons for 2012-13
Apr 11, 2012 | General, Men's Basketball
OMAHA, Neb. – Nebraska native Jalen Bradley and junior college transfer Justin Simmons have signed National Letters of Intent to join the UNO men's basketball program in 2012-13, head coach Derrin Hansen announced Wednesday.
JALEN BRADLEY
Guard -- 6-0 – 180 -- Norfolk, Neb. (Norfolk)
A 6-0, 180-pound guard, Bradley comes to UNO from Norfolk High School, where he lettered four years for Coach Ben Ries. Over his career, Bradley was a two-time first-team all-state selection and played on four teams that qualified for the state tournament, including a runner-up squad in 2009-10. That season, Norfolk compiled a record of 22-3, and Bradley was named to the all-tournament team after setting a state tournament record with 13 3-pointers made that week.
Bradley led the state in scoring two straight seasons, averaging 21.2 points per game as a junior and 21.9 as a senior. In 2011-12, the Panthers finished with an overall record of 24-2, and Bradley became Norfolk's all-time leading scorer and the fifth-best scorer in Class A history with 1,638 career points. His career free-throw percentage of 93.4 percent was also a state record and ranked second all-time nationally.
A member of the National Honor Society, Bradley carries a 3.90 grade-point average and is a two-time academic all-state honoree. He also lettered two years in cross country, qualifying for the state meet both years. The son of Aaron and Crystal Bradley, he played AAU ball for Martin Brothers Select, Team Nebraska and the Omaha Sports Academy.
“We're excited to have Jalen join our basketball program,” Hansen said. “He's had a great career at Norfolk High School, and he's also been a great student, which is a component we look for when bringing student-athletes into our program. Jalen brings a certain toughness to the floor, and he is capable of playing the point guard the off guard, which gives us flexibility moving forward.”
JUSTIN SIMMONS
Guard – 6-3 – 190 – Milwaukee, Wis. (Butler CC/Concordia-Wisconsin/South Division)
A 6-3, 190-pound guard, Simmons will transfer to UNO from Butler Community College in El Dorado, Kan. In 2011-12, he averaged 16.8 points, 3.0 rebounds, 1.5 steals and 1.0 assists per game, shooting 71 percent from the free throw line and 49 percent from the field. In a career-best performance against Iowa Western last year, Simmons scored 36 points on 14-for-18 shooting.
Simmons began his collegiate career at Concordia University in Mequon, Wis., where he competed in both basketball and track & field. An All-American long jumper, he was also a conference champion in the 400m dash and helped his team to a NAC championship.
Simmons is a native of Milwaukee, Wis., where he played at South Division High School. He lettered in basketball and track & field for the Cardinals, finishing as the state runner-up in the 400m dash in 2008 and earning all-state honors.
The son of John Simmons and Lillian Velez, he will earn his associate's degree from Butler this May. Simmons plans to major in education at UNO.
“Justin comes from an outstanding program at Butler Community College,” Hansen said. “His athleticism and length are qualities that will help our program take the next step, and we'll be able to play him at one of our wing positions. Justin is also very competitive and a good student, so we're excited for what he will add to our team.”
JALEN BRADLEY
Guard -- 6-0 – 180 -- Norfolk, Neb. (Norfolk)
A 6-0, 180-pound guard, Bradley comes to UNO from Norfolk High School, where he lettered four years for Coach Ben Ries. Over his career, Bradley was a two-time first-team all-state selection and played on four teams that qualified for the state tournament, including a runner-up squad in 2009-10. That season, Norfolk compiled a record of 22-3, and Bradley was named to the all-tournament team after setting a state tournament record with 13 3-pointers made that week.
Bradley led the state in scoring two straight seasons, averaging 21.2 points per game as a junior and 21.9 as a senior. In 2011-12, the Panthers finished with an overall record of 24-2, and Bradley became Norfolk's all-time leading scorer and the fifth-best scorer in Class A history with 1,638 career points. His career free-throw percentage of 93.4 percent was also a state record and ranked second all-time nationally.
A member of the National Honor Society, Bradley carries a 3.90 grade-point average and is a two-time academic all-state honoree. He also lettered two years in cross country, qualifying for the state meet both years. The son of Aaron and Crystal Bradley, he played AAU ball for Martin Brothers Select, Team Nebraska and the Omaha Sports Academy.
“We're excited to have Jalen join our basketball program,” Hansen said. “He's had a great career at Norfolk High School, and he's also been a great student, which is a component we look for when bringing student-athletes into our program. Jalen brings a certain toughness to the floor, and he is capable of playing the point guard the off guard, which gives us flexibility moving forward.”
JUSTIN SIMMONS
Guard – 6-3 – 190 – Milwaukee, Wis. (Butler CC/Concordia-Wisconsin/South Division)
A 6-3, 190-pound guard, Simmons will transfer to UNO from Butler Community College in El Dorado, Kan. In 2011-12, he averaged 16.8 points, 3.0 rebounds, 1.5 steals and 1.0 assists per game, shooting 71 percent from the free throw line and 49 percent from the field. In a career-best performance against Iowa Western last year, Simmons scored 36 points on 14-for-18 shooting.
Simmons began his collegiate career at Concordia University in Mequon, Wis., where he competed in both basketball and track & field. An All-American long jumper, he was also a conference champion in the 400m dash and helped his team to a NAC championship.
Simmons is a native of Milwaukee, Wis., where he played at South Division High School. He lettered in basketball and track & field for the Cardinals, finishing as the state runner-up in the 400m dash in 2008 and earning all-state honors.
The son of John Simmons and Lillian Velez, he will earn his associate's degree from Butler this May. Simmons plans to major in education at UNO.
“Justin comes from an outstanding program at Butler Community College,” Hansen said. “His athleticism and length are qualities that will help our program take the next step, and we'll be able to play him at one of our wing positions. Justin is also very competitive and a good student, so we're excited for what he will add to our team.”
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