KJ Simpson Bio
Kenneth Dwayne “KJ” Simpson Jr. is an American professional basketball player who plays as a point guard in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Listed at 6 feet 2 inches and 189 pounds, Simpson began his professional career after a standout three-season run with the Colorado Buffaloes of the Pac-12 Conference. He was selected 42nd overall in the 2024 NBA Draft and has since competed under two-way contracts with the Charlotte Hornets, the Greensboro Swarm, and the Denver Nuggets.
Born and raised in Los Angeles, California, Simpson developed into a four-star recruit at Chaminade College Preparatory School before choosing Colorado over several other suitors. Across his college career, he earned Pac-12 All-Freshman, second-team All-Pac-12, and first-team All-Pac-12 honors, establishing himself as one of the conference’s most productive guards.
Early Life and Background
Kenneth Dwayne Simpson Jr. was born on August 8, 2002, in Los Angeles, California. He grew up in the Panorama City neighborhood of the San Fernando Valley, where he first developed his love for basketball. As a young player, Simpson drew attention for his quickness, court vision, and scoring instincts, traits that would later define his professional profile.
Simpson attended Chaminade College Preparatory School in Los Angeles, where he became one of the top high school guards in the region. Rated a four-star recruit by major scouting services, he drew scholarship offers from multiple Power Conference programs. Originally, Simpson committed to play college basketball at Arizona, but after Arizona head coach Sean Miller was fired, he requested and was granted a release from his National Letter of Intent and reopened his recruitment.
Following his release from Arizona, Simpson evaluated his options and ultimately signed to play at the University of Colorado. The decision launched one of the most productive individual careers in recent Colorado Buffaloes history.
Path to Basketball
Simpson’s path to Division I basketball ran through Chaminade College Prep, where he built the foundation that earned him a four-star rating. His early exposure to high-level coaching and competition prepared him for the physical and tactical demands of Pac-12 Conference play. By the time he finished high school, Simpson had the recruiting pedigree to choose among several major programs.
His initial commitment to Arizona, and the subsequent coaching change that opened his recruitment, marked the first major turning point of his career. The decision to sign with Colorado gave Simpson an opportunity to step into a featured role from his first season, and he quickly delivered on that opportunity.
As a freshman with the Colorado Buffaloes, Simpson averaged 7.4 points per game while also leading the team in total assists and steals. That production earned him a spot on the Pac-12 All-Freshman Team and signaled the arrival of a future cornerstone guard in Boulder.
KJ Simpson Career
Early Career (2021–2023)
Simpson opened his collegiate career with the Colorado Buffaloes during the 2021–22 season and immediately established himself as a reliable lead guard. His freshman averages of 7.4 points, along with team-leading totals in assists and steals, earned him Pac-12 All-Freshman recognition. He showed poise well beyond his years, particularly in transition and on the defensive end.
In his sophomore season, Simpson elevated his game significantly, averaging 15.9 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 1.5 steals per game. Those numbers placed him among the most productive guards in the Pac-12 and earned him a spot on the All-Pac-12 second team. His improvement as a scorer and playmaker set the stage for a defining junior year.
Colorado Buffaloes Breakthrough (2023–2024)
Simpson’s junior season represented the peak of his collegiate career. He averaged a team-high 19.7 points per game and shot 43 percent from three-point range, performances that earned him first-team All-Pac-12 honors. He became the offensive engine of the Buffaloes and a household name among Pac-12 fans.
One of the signature moments of that season came in the first round of the 2024 NCAA Tournament against No. 7 Florida. With the game tied and under two seconds remaining, Simpson hit a game-winning jumper to secure a 102–100 victory for Colorado. The shot cemented his reputation as a clutch performer and helped push the Buffaloes deeper into the bracket.
Charlotte Hornets Era (2024–2026)
On June 27, 2024, Simpson was selected with the 42nd overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft by the Charlotte Hornets. He signed a two-way contract with the franchise on July 7, 2024, splitting time between the Hornets and their NBA G League affiliate, the Greensboro Swarm. As a rookie, he appeared in 36 games for Charlotte, including 15 starts, and averaged 7.8 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 3.1 assists.
During the 2025–26 NBA season, Simpson appeared in 14 games with the Hornets, including two starts, averaging 6.0 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 2.5 assists. On February 6, 2026, he was waived by the Hornets, opening the door for the next chapter of his career.
On February 19, 2026, Simpson signed a two-way contract with the Denver Nuggets, joining their NBA G League affiliate, the Grand Rapids Gold. The move positioned him within a championship-contending organization and offered a fresh opportunity to compete for rotation minutes.
Driving Style and Strengths
Simpson profiles as a compact, quick lead guard whose game is built on pace, perimeter shooting, and on-ball defense. He shot 43 percent from three-point range during his junior season at Colorado, demonstrating the type of outside shooting that translates to the NBA level. His assist and steal totals throughout his career reflect strong court vision and active hands on the defensive end, traits that make him a credible two-way contributor.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Simpson’s most memorable moments is his game-winning jumper against Florida in the 2024 NCAA Tournament, a shot that defined his junior season and boosted his professional stock. Additional milestones include his selection as the 42nd overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, his first-team All-Pac-12 selection in 2024, and his transition to the Denver Nuggets organization in February 2026.
KJ Simpson Career Wins
Kenneth Dwayne Simpson Jr. has built his career on consistent production rather than a long list of titles, but his collegiate and professional résumé includes several signature wins and individual honors. The highlights below summarize the most clearly verified achievements from his time at Colorado and his early NBA career.
Colorado Buffaloes Highlights
Simpson’s three seasons at Colorado produced three consecutive conference honors: Pac-12 All-Freshman Team in 2022, second-team All-Pac-12 in 2023, and first-team All-Pac-12 in 2024. He closed his junior year with a 19.7-point scoring average and a dramatic game-winning shot against Florida in the NCAA Tournament. Those results placed him among the most productive guards in program history.
Other Wins and Performances
In the NBA, Simpson has notched notable performances with both the Charlotte Hornets and the Greensboro Swarm, including a rookie campaign of 36 appearances and 15 starts. His subsequent move to the Denver Nuggets organization added a championship-caliber environment to his early professional arc.
KJ Simpson Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public information about Kenneth Dwayne Simpson Jr.’s immediate family is limited, and detailed background on his parents and relatives has not been widely reported in verified sources. His upbringing in Panorama City, Los Angeles, and his time at Chaminade College Preparatory School shaped the early years that led to his basketball career.
Personal Life
Verified personal-life details about Simpson, including marital status, spouse, and children, are not publicly available in the sources reviewed for this profile. As a young professional in the early stages of his NBA career, his focus has remained on basketball.
2025 Season Performance
Simpson entered the 2025 portion of his professional career coming off a productive rookie season with the Charlotte Hornets. Across 36 appearances and 15 starts, he averaged 7.8 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 3.1 assists, establishing a baseline for what he could provide as a two-way contributor. His split assignment between the Hornets and the Greensboro Swarm allowed him to refine his game against a range of competition levels.
During the 2025–26 NBA season, Simpson logged 14 games with the Hornets, including two starts, and produced averages of 6.0 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 2.5 assists. Those numbers reflected a reduced role in Charlotte, and on February 6, 2026, the franchise waived him. The transaction opened the door for a quick transition to a new opportunity.
On February 19, 2026, Simpson signed a two-way contract with the Denver Nuggets, joining the Grand Rapids Gold of the NBA G League. The move placed him within one of the league’s most stable winning organizations and offered a fresh path to compete for minutes at the NBA level. Looking ahead, Simpson’s combination of perimeter shooting, defensive activity, and prior first-team All-Pac-12 credentials give him a credible platform to carve out a longer NBA role.
