Since arriving on campus, Simmons has been impressed by how quickly he assimilated with his teammates.
SAN DIEGO — Aztecs true freshman Tae Simmons is settling into the San Diego State basketball program with optimism and excitement, praising the team’s chemistry and culture as he begins his collegiate career on the Mesa.
“I’m having the time of my life here, man. Oh my goodness, like, basketball has never been so fun,” Simmons said.
Since arriving on campus, Simmons has been impressed by how quickly he assimilated with his teammates. He emphasized that the bonds built extend beyond the court, with players spending time together off the court as well—a dynamic he believes strengthens trust and chemistry among the roster.
“The way that I assimilated with everybody- it was so easy. Everybody on the team is just amazing,” Simmons said. “The relationships that we’ve built in just a couple of months have been great. It’s not just on the court, it’s off the court as well. We all hang out and go do fun stuff together, and I think that just builds that trust.”
Simmons acknowledged that the learning curve as a newcomer has been steep. As for goals, he hasn’t set concrete numbers to reach; he has focused on maximizing whatever playing time he receives.
“Whatever time I’m given on the court, I go out there and play as hard as I can and give them a reason to keep me on the court,” Simmons said. “If the coaches see that you’re giving 100% effort on the court, that’s all they’re asking for.”
The freshman has found particular support from senior teammate Miles Heide, who plays a similar position and has taken Simmons under his wing since his arrival. Simmons also highlighted the positive energy of Miles Byrd, describing him as the team’s motivational force.
“Miles Heide has been so helpful with everything. The day that I got here, he was the first person to pick me up and be like, Yo, this is what you gotta do,” said Simmons.
Looking ahead to the upcoming season, Simmons expressed confidence in the Aztecs’ prospects, citing the team’s depth as a key strength moving forward.
