Simmons joins Cougars NBL1 West team

Taylah Simmons will join the Cockburn Cougars women’s team in the 2021 NBL1 West season.

Simmons joins the Cougars after winning the United States national NAIA division two player of the year in 2019-20.

The Victorian native finished her final year at Southeastern University as the national top-scorer, amassing 24 points per game at 59.4 per cent shooting, and pulling down more than seven rebounds per game.

Prior to her time at Southeastern, Simmons spent two years at NCAA division one collefe Wagner, averaging 15.3 points per game in her sophomore year.

Since returning from the USA, Simmons has been training with the Southside Flyers in the WNBL before they moved into the Queensland hub last week, with her attention now turning to a big 2021 in the newly announced NBL1 West.

“(Coach) Tyrone (Thwaites) was very clear about the direction of the program, the priority for incoming athletes to help future Cougars be better, and that the group was bigger than any individual – that was something I wanted to be a part of,” Simmons said, via cougarfamily.com.

“Having family in Perth also helps when you’re moving across the country from Melbourne, so that was a big part as well.”

Cougars Chief Executive Officer and women’s head coach Tyrone Thwaites said versatility was key to an exciting 2021 for the Cougar women, with Simmons bringing the ability to play as both a guard and a forward.

“Taylah fits the profile of our group in so many ways,” Thwaites said.

“The last few years we have not had as much length through our wing spots as we would like, and her ability to just take it off the rim and transition will complement our already fast-paced group.

“She’s also a great human being, something we are very conscious of when we bring someone new into the program. She’s a leader, a hard-worker and someone who makes her team mates better – she will be an asset to us.”

Simmons is looking forward to becoming a leader amongst the playing group.  

“Having been to college, and had a taste of the WNBL environment, I’m looking forward to sharing those experiences with young Cougars Tia Morgan, Ruby Benn and the rest of the young group,” Simmons said.

“I’m ready to bring positive energy and a whole lot of hard work – I can’t wait to get started in January.”