University of Southern Indiana Men’s Basketball announced the addition of six-foot-eight sophomore forward Josh Price (Indianapolis, Indiana), six-foot junior guard Kourtlandt Martin(Evansville, Indiana), and six-foot-three senior guard David Simmons (Henderson, Kentucky) to the roster. The trio are the fifth, sixth and seventh players sign and complete the 2018-19 recruiting class.
Price, who will have three seasons of eligibility, transfers to USI from Indiana University East where he averaged 3.4 points and 2.8 rebounds in 29 games as a freshman in 2014-15. He scored a season-high 13 points in win at Wilberforce University and recorded an eight point-four rebound performance versus USI during his freshman season.
Prior to beginning his collegiate career, Price lettered in basketball at Shortridge Magnet High School (Indianapolis, Indiana). He averaged 11 points, 3.0 rebounds and 2.0 blocks per game as a senior to help Shortridge to a 14-8 record.
“Josh brings a big frame and the ability to be a force in the lane,” said USI Head Coach Rodney Watson. “It will take time to match his size and skill set, but the upside to his talent is very high. He had a good night in the PAC when he was a freshman and we are expecting many more in the arena.
Martin transfers to USI after playing the 2017-18 season at Carl Sandburg College, where he was named first-team All-Conference and second-team All-Region after averaging 17.7 points and 5.9 rebounds per game. He scored a season-high 28 points versus McHenry County College and helped lead Carl Sandburg to a conference championship in 2017-18.
The Evansville native also was a first-team All-SIAC and All-Metro performer at Central High School when he averaged 18.1 points, 3.2 assists, and 4.0 rebounds per game and led the Bears to a 4A Section al championship as a senior.
“Kourtlandt gives us another quality guard,” said Watson. “We need his hardnosed and blue collar qualities. He seems to have always been the underrated player both in high school and junior college, but we expect his competitiveness to lift our level of play.”
Simmons will redshirt in 2018-19 and will have one year of eligibility after transferring from Middle Tennessee State University. He played in 32 games and earned three starts as a Blue Raider in 2017-18, averaging 4.7 points and 2.6 rebounds per outing.
Before making his way to Middle Tennessee State, Simmons spent two seasons at Tallahassee Community College, posting 13.5 points, 6.6 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.1 steals in 61 total games. He averaged 12.9 points and 6.1 rebounds as a sophomore and earned his second consecutive first-team All-Panhandle Conference honor in 2017.
Simmons started his collegiate career by averaging 14.0 points, 7.0 rebounds and 3.2 assists in 33 games as a freshman, earning the 2016 Panhandle Conference Freshman of the Year award. He also was named first-team FCSAA All-State and first-team All-Panhandle Conference.
“David is no secret in this tri-state area” Watson said. “As a big guard/small forward, he was a force in scoring and rebounding at Tallahassee in one of the most powerful junior college leagues in the country. David is strong and tough and can score in variety of ways. His length will allow us defend the drive and deep perimeter shooting.
Prior to beginning his collegiate career, Simmons starred in basketball at Henderson County High School (Henderson, Kentucky). He averaged 18.6 points and 5.4 rebounds as a senior and ended his prep career fourth on Henderson County’s all-time scoring list with 1,617 points. Simmons also played for Team Kentucky in the Kentucky/Indiana All-Star Classic in 2015.
