By Kyle Zamiara
Promotions Editor
The only player with four years of experience as a Bonnie will hit the floor for his fifth and final season tonight against South Dakota. Forward Marquise Simmons will likely be playing the 82nd game of his career tonight, after being granted another year of eligibility on March 4, 2012 due to an injury he sustained in the 2011-’12 season.
The Washington, D.C. native admitted those injuries are no longer on his mind.
“Those injuries are in the past, my Achilles tendon being the latest one,” Simmons said. “I’m two years behind that now. I’m just looking to have a healthy senior season. I’m not worried about things that have happened in the past.”
Last season, only Simmons and then-sophomore Youssou Ndoye stood taller than 6’8″ on an undersized Bonaventure team that struggled for rebounds.
This season, the Bonnies introduce forwards Chris Dees and Matthias Runs, giving the team much-needed depth in the post.
Simmons praised the two players for their willingness to learn.
“Chris is coming from junior college, and Matthias was a part of the team last year, so he learned some things, but he still has some things to learn,” Simmons said. “They’re both good listeners, and me and Youssou are trying to be the best leaders for those guys. We’re trying to take the lead and hope those guys follow, and that’s how it’s been going so far.”
Simmons had his best season as a Bonnie last year, averaging six points and five rebounds a game in 29 contests. Simmons also started 11 out of his 14 career starts last season.
The 6’8″, 235-pounder said he and the rest of the team gained significant chemistry during summer sessions.
“Most of the guys were here doing summer school and working out for the most part,” Simmons said. “Everybody did either first or second session. It’s good for team bonding. Meeting the new guys like Andell (Cumberbatch), Jalen (Adams) and those guys, it’s good for everybody to come together in the summertime. The more time we spend, the better we are when we get here and practice now.”
Although the Bonnies lost their top three scorers to graduation, Simmons noted this young team has the makings of something special if they can work together.
“We’ve got good team chemistry,” Simmons said. “That’s the thing that’s going to determine the type of season we have this year. The closer we are off the court, the better we will be together on the court. We’re close. We’re actually all about to go out to Applebee’s after this.”
Teammate Chris Dees praised Simmons for his patience and leadership toward not only him, but the rest of the younger players as well.
“Marquise has helped me get a good feel for it,” Dees said. “Since he’s been through it, I kind of follow under the veteran guys so I can get a good feel of what I’m getting into. Like how the Atlantic 10 really is.”
Being only one of three seniors, Marquise admitted that it’s their job to lead this team in the direction they’d like to go.
“It’s pressure that I want,” said Simmons. “It comes with the territory. I’m a senior along with Charlon and Matthew. We worked our way up to this point, so the pressure is on us to go out and perform every night and lead the younger guys.”
