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As one of the key contributors on the Central Michigan team, Rayshawn Simmons, a team co-captain who started all 32 games last year for the Chips, enters his senior season. A transfer from Moberly Area Community College, the 6-foot-4, 185 pound guard from St. Louis joined the Chips in the 2013-2014 season. Simmons helped lead the Chippewas to a postseason appearance for the first time since 2003, as they won the MAC regular season title last season.
In his inaugural season, Simmons lead the team in minutes off the bench at 668. He shot 40 percent from three point range, and then this past year, Simmons took a considerably higher amount of threes. Simmons went 16-of-54 (30 percent) to give him a career three point percentage of 32 percent.
Simmons has worked hard on his shot in general as well. In his first year as a Chippewa, his field goal percentage was 40 percent. The following season, in which he started every game, Simmons improved his shooting numbers, as he finished at 44 percent giving him a CMU career average of 42 percent.
As a top three leader in minutes played, rebounding, and assists, while also being fourth on the team in scoring last year, Simmons shows you that he gives you everything you need in a guard. He also ranked third in the MAC in his turnover ratio, showing that he can keep a great handle on the ball.
In his two years with the Chips, Simmons has appeared in all 63 games. A very durable and strong athlete, Simmons has played a total of 1,555 minutes as a Chippewa. In a win against Central Penn last year, Simmons had his first career double-double and set personal bests in points and assists with 20 points and 12 assists. Those 12 assists was good for the season high in one game in the MAC.
In the MAC opener against the Toledo Rockets last year, Simmons led the Chips in scoring with 16 points and had six rebounds and five assists to lead CMU to a 65-62 win. He also didn't turn the ball over, which helps to explain his great turnover ratio on the season.
Simmons has been a shining star, alongside Chris Fowler, the duo looks to continue where they left off last season, shooting the three very well, and scoring many points to win games. Simmons can really do it all for a team.