Dickey Simpkins

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Lore & Background

Simpkins was born on April 6, 1972, in Fort Washington, Maryland. He starred at Friendly High School in Maryland as a 6'9" forward/center. He played college basketball at Providence College, averaging 9.8 points per game over four seasons. He was twice named to the Big East All-Tournament team (1993 and 1994) and helped the Friars win the conference title and earn a spot in the 1994 NCAA tournament. In 2013, Providence inducted him into the college's athletic Hall of Fame. He was selected by the Chicago Bulls with the 21st pick in the 1994 NBA draft. He earned two NBA Championship rings in 1996 and 1997, but was not on the team's active roster for either playoff run. In fall 1997, the Bulls traded him to the Golden State Warriors. The Warriors waived him, and the Bulls claimed him. He posted a .634 field goal percentage in 21 games, and in spring 1998 he participated in the playoffs for the first time, earning his third championship ring. After the 1998–99 lockout, with Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Rodman, and Luc Longley gone, Simpkins emerged as a part-time starter in 1999, averaging career highs of 9.1 points and 6.8 rebounds. The following season he played a career-high 1,651 minutes. After the Bulls signed Brad Miller in September 2000, they renounced their rights to Simpkins. He spent a season in Greece before joining the Atlanta Hawks during the 2001–02 season, playing only one game. He later played in Greece, the CBA, Russia, Puerto Rico, Lithuania, Spain, Philippines, Lebanon, and Germany. In 2005, he joined the Alaska Aces (PBA) as a replacement for Leon Derricks, leading the team to a three-game quarterfinals loss. After playing, he worked as a college basketball analyst for ESPN, founded Next Level Performance Inc., and became a national motivational speaker. He is currently a color commentator at Fox Sports 1 for Big East games. He also scouted for the Charlotte Hornets and the Washington Wizards.

In Their Own Story

The turning point for Dickey Simpkins arrived in the spring of 1998 after his return from Golden State. Having been waived by the Warriors and reclaimed by Chicago, he capitalized on a shortened 21-game window to post an impressive .634 field goal percentage. This surge earned him a spot in the playoffs for the first time in his career, securing his third championship ring with the Bulls. The landscape shifted dramatically after the 1998–99 lockout when Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Dennis Rodman, and Luc Longley all left the organization. Amidst this roster overhaul, Simpkins stepped up as a part-time starter during the 1999 season. He played a career-high 1,651 minutes in the following season, averaging 9.1 points and 6.8 rebounds, proving his value to a rebuilding squad before the Bulls renounced his rights in September 2000 after signing Brad Miller.

Did You Know?

• Simpkins earned three NBA championship rings with the Chicago Bulls (1996, 1997, 1998), but was not on the active roster for the 1996 and 1997 playoff runs.
• He posted a .634 field goal percentage in 21 games after being claimed back by the Bulls in the 1997–98 season.
• Simpkins was inducted into the Providence College Athletic Hall of Fame in 2013.