California Juco; never too late for a 2nd chance (or 3rd..)

It's always a pleasure to see once 'big names' in the prep world suiting up for California Juco programs in a second chance to get back into school and on the basketball radar.  Last weekend at Skyline College I was able to witness a couple 'blasts from the past' suiting up at the Nor Cal Juco Jamboree.  I wasn't able to see all the games or see all the rosters, but the two players that I noticed that fit this category most were Eugene Crockett (Sac City) and Matt Simpkins (Chabot).

Eugene Crockett

Eugene Crockett played his senior season at Sacramento High school back in 05-06'.  Looking him up I was able to find out he was offered by Santa Clara University and University of San Francisco out of high school.  According to Maxpreps he was listed as 6'9" 240 as a senior back in 2006.  My first thought when I saw him on the court was that he was the younger brother of YouTube legend Kimbo Slice.  Just a massive force, but seemingly a bit older than the rest of the players on the court.  Not much available on why he never played anywhere up to this point, but looking forward to seeing him on the court this year at Sac City.

Kyle Luckett at Chabot

California Juco is no stranger to players in their mid 20's and beyond getting back on the scene.  Siskiyious College had a few players on the roster last year in their mid 20's; Treece Lynch and leading scorer Watkins Williams graduated in 06' and 07' respectively, from high schools in Florida.  Modesto Junior College and Columbia College both used the efforts of John Potter who was 40 years old during his second season as a Columbia Claim Jumper in 2010.  John Potter had an interesting story all his own. Then their was Kyle Luckett, the 7 footer that played for Chabot College as a 23 year old freshman after going undrafted in the 2005 NBA draft out of high school. Luckett then went on to play professionally after his sophomore season as a Chabot Gladiator.  Perhaps this is a foreshadow of the future of Matt Simpkins, who suited up for Chabot at the Jamboree last weekend.

Simkins at Univ of Memphis
Photo couresty of gettyimages.com

Simpkins was suspended indefinitely by John Calipari while at the University of Memphis in 09'. After bouncing around to a couple of different schools Simpkins completely fell off the map until his surprise return last weekend.  Simpkins was also offered out of high school by UCONN, Arizona, and USC, but comes to the Cali Juco ranks with a reputation that most coaches wouldn't consider to be favorable.  Ranked as a top 80 prospect by rivals, Simpkins was ranked higher than current pros Quincy Acy and Miles Plumlee.  It would be a great to see this former Bay Area prepster make a turnaround and reach the potential that we all once knew he was capable.  Potential is only a compliment for so long, however, until that word begins to take on a stigma all its own.

Looking forward to seeing more of the rosters from the Juco showcases this summer.  Will have more reports and articles as information begins to become public.