Jericho Sims

Sims is an American center who entered the NBA as the 58th overall pick in 2021 and has played for the New York Knicks and Milwaukee Bucks after a decorated four-year career at the University of Texas. His professional trajectory reflects a physical, athletic big man who provides rim protection, rebounding, and energy in limited minutes.

Born Jericho Eduard Sims on October 20, 1998, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, he attended Cristo Rey Jesuit High School. As a junior, he averaged 21.8 points, 11.2 rebounds, and 3.7 assists. As a senior, he averaged 25 points and 10 rebounds and left as the program's all-time leading scorer with 2,005 points. A consensus four-star recruit, he committed to Texas over Minnesota.

At Texas, Sims averaged five points and 3.9 rebounds as a freshman before assuming a larger role after an injury to Mo Bamba. As a sophomore, he averaged 4.2 points and 3.6 rebounds while missing time with an ankle injury. His junior season was cut short by a stress fracture in his back, though he averaged 9.7 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks and earned All-Big 12 Honorable Mention. As a senior, he averaged 9.2 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks and again received All-Big 12 Honorable Mention. On March 13, 2021, he posted 21 points and 14 rebounds in the Big 12 tournament title game against Oklahoma State.

The New York Knicks selected Sims with the 58th overall pick in the 2021 draft. He signed a two-way contract and later a three-year, partially guaranteed deal in July 2022. In February 2023, he was selected to replace Shaedon Sharpe in the Slam Dunk Contest but did not advance past the first round. On February 6, 2025, the Knicks traded him to the Milwaukee Bucks. He made 14 appearances for Milwaukee, averaging 2.4 points and 4.9 rebounds, before undergoing surgery to repair a torn ligament in his right thumb in March. On July 1, 2025, he re-signed with the Bucks on a two-year contract.

Sims is an athletic center with elite leaping ability, rim protection, and finishing at the basket. He scores on lobs, putbacks, and transition dunks, and he uses his strength and verticality to contest shots and rebound at a high rate. His offensive game is limited to finishing plays created by guards, but his defensive tools and energy make him a situational option.

Sims enters each season working to establish consistent rotation minutes after multiple injury setbacks. His trajectory from a Minnesota high school to a Big 12 tournament standout and a late second-round draft pick reflects physical development and a focus on rim protection and athleticism at the highest level.