Fukui Bloewins of Japan’s B.League B3 (tertiary league) announced the recruitment of David Simon (42, 203 centimeters) through its official website on Tuesday. The contract will be signed through the 2023-2024 season.
Simon is a very familiar name to Korean fans. He joined KGC in Anyang during the 2010-2011 season and played for SK in Seoul during the 2015-2016 season. He returned to KGC in the 2016-2017 season and led the team to its first integrated championship. After the end of the 2017-2018 season, he unfortunately left Korea due to the introduction of height restrictions on foreign players.
Simon, who continued his career with the Kyoto Hannaise in the B.League, joined Goyang Day One (currently Sono in Goyang) ahead of the last season at the invitation of coach Kim Seung-ki. He played an average of 16 minutes and 8 seconds in 21 regular-league games, posting 10.6 points and 5.3 rebounds. Even though he was a foreign player with two options, he did his part.
However, the injury hampered his health. He had a serious injury that caused cartilage in his knee to rise and left Korea once again. Nevertheless, Simon remained firm. He focused on recovery and rehabilitation, and successfully signed a contract with Tokyo Friends Earth Z from B2 (minor league). He temporarily played as a substitute for the B.League’s Shinshu Brave Warriors this season, showing off his robustness by scoring 9.9 points and 5.1 rebounds in 15 games.
After his contract with Shinshu ended, Simon will continue his career with Fukui. Fukui ranks first overall in B3 with 34 wins and three losses. Given the current momentum, he is highly likely to be promoted to B2. Simon played in a match against Beatien Mie on Sunday and had seven points and five rebounds in 15 minutes and 43 seconds.
Simon, born in 1982, is 42 years old. He is the same age as Chung Sung-tae, coach of Chung Kwan-jang, and Kim Il-doo, commentator of MBC Sports+. Nevertheless, he is keeping the court by thorough self-management. To him, retirement is a long way off.