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Miles Simon

Miles Simon (born November 21, 1975) is a Swedish-born American coach and former professional , renowned for his pivotal role in the University of Arizona's 1997 men's championship victory, where he was named the tournament's Most Outstanding . Standing at 6 feet 5 inches (1.96 m) and playing primarily as a shooting guard, Simon enjoyed a distinguished college career before a brief stint in the (NBA) and extended play in international leagues. He later transitioned to , beginning with his and advancing to various NBA and G League roles, and currently serving as an assistant coach for the . Born in , , to an American father and Norwegian mother, Simon moved to the as a child and grew up in . He attended Mater Dei High School in , where he emerged as one of the top prep talents in [Orange County](/page/Orange County) history. During his tenure from 1991 to 1994, Simon led the Monarchs to four () Southern Section championships and became the first player in school history to earn Player of the Year honors twice. At the from 1994 to 1998, Simon developed into a star guard under head coach , appearing in 114 games with 90 starts and averaging 14.6 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per game. His junior year in 1997 was particularly legendary, as he averaged 22.0 points over the six NCAA Tournament games, guiding the Wildcats to an undefeated tournament run and their first national title with an 84–79 overtime victory over in the championship game. Over his career, he averaged 18.4 points across 14 NCAA Tournament games. For his performance, Simon earned the NCAA Most Outstanding Player award and later received first-team All-American honors in 1998, along with helping secure the 1998 Pac-10 Conference title. Over his college career, he amassed 1,664 points (seventh in program history), 455 assists (sixth), and 176 three-pointers made (fourth). Selected by the Orlando Magic in the second round (42nd overall) of the 1998 NBA Draft, Simon appeared in just five games during the 1998–99 season, averaging 0.4 points per game. He spent the next six years playing professionally abroad in Israel, Italy, Venezuela, and Turkey, while also competing in the Continental Basketball Association (CBA), where he excelled with the Dakota Wizards in 2001–02. That season, Simon averaged 23.0 points and 5.1 assists per game, leading the Wizards to the CBA championship and earning league MVP, Newcomer of the Year, and Playoff MVP honors. Simon began his coaching career in 2005 upon returning to the as an assistant under , where he contributed to strong defensive performances, including a 2005–06 team that ranked 11th nationally in steals per game (9.8). He later joined the as an assistant coach in 2017, serving four seasons and also heading the G League affiliate from 2021 to 2023, compiling a 65–31 record. In 2023, Simon joined the as an assistant under , serving through the 2023–24 season, before becoming an assistant coach for the . Throughout his coaching tenure, he has also served on multiple teams, including as a and assistant for World Cup Qualifying in 2022.

Early life

Family and background

Miles Simon was born on November 21, 1975, in , , to American father Walt Simon, a former professional player, and a mother. Simon was born in Sweden because his father played professional basketball there at the time. Although born abroad, Simon's family relocated to the during his , and he grew up in the area of . Simon was immersed in basketball from a young age due to his family's deep involvement in the sport. His father, uncles, aunts, and sister frequently participated in pickup games and gym activities, creating a household environment centered around . This familial tradition and the local basketball culture in provided Simon with early and constant exposure to the game, fostering his passion for it. Such influences naturally progressed into his organized basketball pursuits during high school.

High school career

Miles Simon attended Mater Dei High School in , from 1990 to 1994, where he developed into a standout influenced by his family's athletic background, including his father Walt Simon's professional playing career. Under coach Gary McKnight, Simon quickly emerged as a key contributor, helping lead the Monarchs to four championships during his tenure from 1991 to 1994. His scoring ability and court vision were instrumental in the team's dominance, establishing Mater Dei as a national powerhouse in high school . Simon earned significant individual recognition for his performances, becoming the first player in Mater Dei history to be named Division I Player of the Year twice, in 1993 as a junior and 1994 as a senior. He was also selected to the Cal-Hi Sports All-State first team in 1994, highlighting his status as one of California's top prep talents. As a senior, Simon served as the team's primary scoring option, frequently delivering high-output games such as 25 points in a key playoff victory. His high school success drew interest from numerous college programs, including , UCLA, and , but he ultimately committed to the without an official visit, signing a in November 1993.

College career

University of Arizona

Simon was recruited by University of Arizona head coach from Mater Dei High School in , where he had earned acclaim as a top prospect, and he signed a in November 1993 before enrolling in the fall of 1994. As a during the 1994-95 season, he primarily came off the bench as a guard, appearing in 23 games while averaging 8.9 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game. In his sophomore year of 1995-96, Simon's role expanded significantly, starting 30 of 33 games and improving to 13.2 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game, helping the Wildcats to a strong regular season. Entering his junior year in 1996-97, Simon transitioned to a starting role, averaging 18.4 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 4.2 assists across 23 games, emerging as one of the team's primary scorers and facilitators. As a senior in 1997-98, he earned first-team All-Pac-10 Conference honors along with NABC All-District 15 recognition, and Consensus First-Team All-American honors, posting averages of 17.2 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 3.5 assists in 35 starts while leading to the Pac-10 title. Over his four seasons from 1994 to 1998, Simon appeared in 114 games with 90 starts for the Wildcats, accumulating career averages of 14.7 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game, contributing to a 106-27 overall record under Olson. He developed strong on-court chemistry with teammates like Mike Bibby, forming a dynamic backcourt duo, and also bonded with fellow guard , fostering the close-knit team culture that defined Olson's program.

1997 NCAA championship

The University of Arizona Wildcats, seeded fourth in the Southeast Region, embarked on a remarkable path through the 1997 NCAA Tournament, becoming the first team in the 64-team era to defeat three No. 1 seeds en route to the national title. In the first round, they defeated the 13th-seeded 65-57 on March 13. The second round saw a 73-69 victory over the 12th-seeded Cougars on March 15. The Sweet 16 featured a stunning 85-82 upset of top-seeded on March 21, followed by a thrilling 96-92 overtime win against fourth-seeded in the on March 23. In the Final Four semifinal on March 29, Arizona edged top-seeded 66-58, setting up the championship matchup. Miles Simon emerged as the tournament's leading scorer and a driving force behind Arizona's success, averaging 22.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per game across the six contests. His standout performances included 30 points on 8-of-18 shooting in the triumph over , where he also grabbed six rebounds and dished four assists, and another 30 points in the championship game against top-seeded on March 31, helping secure an 84-79 overtime victory. Simon also contributed 24 points with five rebounds and five assists in the win over , and 17 points in the Sweet 16 upset of . Building on a junior season average of 18.4 points per game, his tournament heroics marked a significant elevation in consistency and impact. For his efforts, Simon was named the Most Outstanding Player of the , joining teammate on the All- team and recognizing his pivotal role in Arizona's first NCAA —a landmark achievement that solidified the program's place among college basketball's elite under coach . This victory not only capped a 25-9 season but also highlighted Arizona's resilience, as the Wildcats overcame early inconsistencies, including Simon's sophomore-year challenges with shooting efficiency and team integration, to deliver tournament dominance.

Professional career

NBA career

Simon was selected by the with the 42nd overall pick in the second round of the , a selection influenced by his standout performance as the of the 1997 NCAA Championship game during his college career at . He signed a contract with the Magic on January 21, 1999, and made his NBA debut on February 8, 1999. During the 1998–99 season, Simon appeared in five games for the , logging a total of 19 minutes and contributing 2 points and 2 rebounds overall, which translated to per-game averages of 0.4 points and 0.4 rebounds. His limited playing time stemmed from intense roster competition and injuries that hampered his year. The Magic did not re-sign him after the season, as he became a on July 1, 1999, and the team renounced his free-agent rights the following year. Simon attempted to return to the NBA in subsequent years through preseason and invitations. He signed a multi-year contract with the on September 17, 2001, but was waived on October 29, 2001, without appearing in any regular-season games. Similarly, he joined the on September 30, 2002, only to be waived on October 24, 2002, again failing to secure a spot on the final roster. Over his brief NBA career, spanning one season of actual play, Simon totaled 2 points, 2 rebounds, and 19 minutes across those five appearances with Orlando.

Overseas and minor league career

Following his release from the Orlando Magic in 1999, Simon began his overseas career in October 2000 with Maccabi Raanana of the Israeli Basketball Premier League, where he appeared in five games and averaged 5.2 points per game before being waived later that month. He quickly signed with Hapoel Holon in the same league, continuing his adaptation to European-style play characterized by faster pacing and greater emphasis on team movement compared to the NBA. He then joined Basket Livorno of Italy's Lega Basket Serie A for the 2000–01 season. In the 2001–02 season, Simon transitioned to the Continental Basketball Association (CBA) with the Dakota Wizards, marking his most productive professional year outside the NBA. Averaging 23 points, five assists, and three rebounds per game, he emerged as the league's leading scorer and earned MVP honors, Newcomer of the Year, and Playoff MVP accolades while guiding the Wizards to the CBA championship. Simon returned to the Wizards for the 2002–03 season, solidifying his role as a key offensive contributor in the minor league circuit. During this period, he also made brief appearances in Italy's Lega Basket Serie A with Pallacanestro Varese, playing three games and averaging 18.3 points per game. Simon's international tenure extended to multiple countries, including additional stints in , a season with Tuborg Pilsener in Turkey's during 2003–04, and play in , where he navigated diverse playing styles and contributed as a scoring guard until 2005. In his final documented professional season with Reggio Emilia of Italy's during 2004–05, he averaged 5.0 points and 3.0 rebounds across four games. Overall, these experiences honed his scoring versatility, with career averages in minor and overseas leagues typically ranging from 15 to 23 depending on the competition level, before he retired at age 29 to pursue coaching opportunities.

Post-playing career

Coaching roles

Simon returned to his alma mater, the , in 2005 as an assistant coach under head coach , serving through the 2007-08 season. In this role, he focused on player development and recruiting efforts, helping the Wildcats achieve notable defensive and ball-handling efficiencies. For instance, during the 2005-06 season, Arizona ranked 11th nationally in steals per game at 9.8 and led the Pac-10 Conference in turnover margin (+5.82) and assist-to-turnover ratio (1.13). His contract was not renewed after three seasons. From 2008 to , Simon worked in various development capacities outside of full-time college or professional roles, including AAU teams and providing personal training and off-season player development for NBA prospects and professionals. He served as for the California Supreme U17 AAU team and collaborated with elite talent on skill enhancement. This period culminated in his appointment as of the Junior National Select Team for the , where he guided the squad to a 98-87 win over the World Select Team. In June 2017, Simon entered the NBA as an assistant coach for the , remaining on the staff through the 2020-21 season under head coaches and . Specializing in player development for guards and young players, he worked closely with talents like , , and , contributing pre-game skill sessions and off-season programs that supported their growth into key contributors. His efforts were integral to the ' 2020 NBA Championship run, as part of the coaching team that emphasized transition defense and skill refinement for the roster. Simon transitioned to head coach of the Lakers' G League affiliate, the , ahead of the 2021-22 season, holding the position through 2022-23. Over two full seasons, he led the team to a 65-31 regular-season and showcase cup record, including a 21-11 mark in 2021-22 that secured third place in the Western Conference and a berth. The team advanced to the again in 2022-23, highlighting his ability to foster competitive play among developing athletes. Following his G League stint, Simon joined the as an assistant coach for the 2023-24 season under . In May 2024, following the Suns' playoff exit, he joined the as an assistant coach. Throughout his NBA coaching tenure, Simon's contributions to player growth have been evident in the progression of guards and wings under his guidance, building on his playing experience as a foundation for his developmental expertise. In 2022, Simon served as a scout and assistant coach for the USA Men's World Cup Qualifying Team, marking his fifth assignment with .

Broadcasting career

After serving as an assistant coach at the from 2005 to 2008, Miles Simon transitioned into broadcasting by joining in 2010 as a analyst. In this role, he primarily worked as a on , providing analysis for regular-season games and NCAA tournament coverage. Simon's broadcasts often focused on Pac-12 matchups, where he offered perspectives informed by his championship-winning experience with . Simon's contributions emphasized detailed breakdowns of team strategies and player performances, leveraging his background as the 1997 NCAA Most Outstanding Player to enhance viewer understanding of high-stakes . He called numerous national games and contests, including Big 12 coverage, which helped elevate his profile in sports media circles. Notable among his assignments were analyses of key Pac-12 rivalries and postseason games, where his firsthand insights into dynamics proved particularly valuable. Simon continued with ESPN until 2017, when he departed to become an assistant coach for the . After several years in NBA coaching roles with the Lakers, their G League affiliate, and the , he returned full-time in 2025 to call Big 12 games across the network. His first assignment of the 2025-26 season was Pittsburgh versus UCF on November 20.

References

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