Q&A: Anfernee Simons Talks About NBA Stardom, His Orlando Roots and Philanthropy

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When the Magic host the Portland Trail Blazers on Jan. 23, it’ll be a homecoming for one of the league’s brightest young stars – Anfernee Simons.

The 2021 Slam Dunk Contest champion has become a polished, skilled scorer, stepping into the shoes of Blazer legends like Damian Lillard and Clyde Drexler.

We caught up with Simons ahead of the contest to get a few thoughts on basketball, life, and giving back to the city where he grew up.

Editor’s note: The following interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.

NBA.com: You’ve made a big leap as a player over the past few seasons. What lessons from your first few years in the league helped you make that jump, both in terms of your skills and your mindset?

Simons: Learning

from all the older players that played in front of me early in my career really shaped the player I am today. They taught me how to handle success but also how to handle failures. It’s hard to single out players that were the most influential in my career because I was able to take something from each individual that ended up helping me in the future. If I had to name one person, I’d say Dame was that guy. He taught me how to handle attention while remaining humble. 

NBA.com:

What do you think clicked for you during that breakout season in 2021-22, and how did you build on that momentum to lead to a career year last season?

Simons: I finally got a real opportunity to be a guy on the team. Dame got hurt and that propelled me into a bigger role, and I capitalized off of it. People kept telling me that my day would come so I stayed ready. 

NBA.com:

When you think about how much you’ve grown — both as a player and a person — going back to Orlando must bring a lot of emotion … What do you see when you look at the community you came from, and how does it feel to return now as someone who can inspire and give back?

Simons: Being one of few to come from that area is really special. Altamonte Springs will always be home and be the place that shaped me. It is cool to see more and more athletes come from the area and gain attention. I hope athletes continue to make a name for the Orlando area and get the opportunities like I do. That’s why I like to do what I can with my foundation, Be a Light. I want to shine a light and provide resources on more underserved communities, so every child has a chance to chase their dreams. 

NBA.com:

Was there a moment, either on the court or in your community work, where you realized how far you’ve come and how much impact you can have?

Simons: On

the court, I noticed it in how other teams and people in the league approach me. I started to feel a mutual respect in my journey and how far I’ve come. We’re all in this for the long run so when I felt the respect from my peers, it felt like I had laid a solid foundation in my career. Off the court, I love seeing my events grow each year and seeing new events added to the calendar. When we first started Be a Light, we were mainly giving back during the holidays but now we are doing things all year round and partnering with local organizations to help support their own initiatives throughout the year. 

NBA.com:

Do you see parallels between the work you’ve done to improve on the court and the lessons you’re sharing with kids from your hometown through initiatives like the Grad Bash?

Simons:

One of the main lessons I keep in mind is just to celebrate the big and small wins… Always celebrate the small wins. It is something that I learned as I got older. I think that’s the main reason for holding the Grad Bash. In this event, we celebrate kids moving on to the next level of education whether it is kindergarteners moving on to first grade, kids graduating middle school, and kids graduating high school. We want to continue to encourage their journey. When you’re young, you’re always thinking 20 years down the road. As I got older, I began to think about one day at a time because those small wins are the details that lead to the great stuff. Something I like about the Grad Bash is that we also celebrate seniors in high school that not only are going to college but even trade school. I think it is important to allow students to be proud of their own path even if it’s different from the norm. 

NBA.com:

Do you ever draw inspiration from the kids you’re helping in Orlando? How does seeing them strive to reach their goals remind you of your own journey?

Simons:

Yes,

of course. You build relationships with the kids and it’s nice to see familiar faces and watching them grow up. You see them mature so you try to help them as much as you can. Part of that comes with being a role model so I try to live my life in a way that is a positive influence for them. 

NBA.com:

You mentioned learning key lessons early in your career. What was one of the toughest lessons you had to learn that really shaped you as a player?

Simons: Control what you can control. I was frustrated early on because I wasn’t in control of everything, but I learned to stick to what I can and the results will fall. 

NBA.com: A

fter your breakout season, did you feel more confident, or was there still a sense of proving yourself?

Simons: I still feel the need to prove myself. I don’t think I’ll ever think that I’ve done enough. I knew at the time that I was a new face in the league and people were still figuring me out and there would be new challenges as I progress. Still to this day there are new challenges and that’s why I have to continue to get better. 

NBA.com:

When you return to Orlando, what’s the first place you visit that reminds you of where you started?

Simons:

I would probably say my nana’s house. That’s one of the places early in my career that I would spend a lot of time at so it will always feel like home. My cousins lived right around the corner from her so they would run over, and we would play games and play basketball in the street. They still come to my games to this day and have been supporters my whole career. They’re always there anytime I need them. 

NBA.com:

What’s the most rewarding part of bonding with kids in your hometown and helping them grow?

Simons: To me, they might not have anyone else to support them so knowing I can be that person is important. That’s why we’re here on this earth – to make positive impacts on one another. I want to use my platform to empower others and I believe in the domino effect. If I can do something for a group of kids, I hope they’re better equipped to pass along the love. 

NBA.com:

Do you ever see the kids you work with in the community showing the same drive or determination you had when you were younger?

Simons: I see talented kids that work hard and might be a little more advanced than others when I’m working my summer basketball camps. There are some that show a little more determination than others, for sure.  

NBA.com: In what ways has Orlando helped shape your identity as a player or person?

Simons:

The people that I grew up around and helped me along the way will always be the top thing that has shaped me as a player and a person. There’s of course the main people like my immediate family but I feel like I’ve learned something from everyone in that community and they continue to support me to this day whether it is showing up for games or showing up to volunteer at Be a Light community events.