Jericho Sims Bio
Jericho Eduard Sims is an American professional basketball player for the Milwaukee Bucks of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the Texas Longhorns and was selected by the New York Knicks in the 2021 NBA Draft. Standing 6 feet 10 inches tall, Sims has built his reputation as an athletic center known for his rebounding, shot-blocking, and high-flying dunks.
Early Life and Background
Jericho Eduard Sims was born on October 20, 1998, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He grew up in a deeply athletic family in the Twin Cities, where sports were a central part of daily life. His father, Charles Sims, played college basketball for the University of Minnesota before pursuing a career as a dentist.
Sims attended Cristo Rey Jesuit High School in Minneapolis, where he quickly emerged as a dominant force on the basketball court. As a junior, he averaged 21.8 points, 11.2 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game. In his senior season, he raised his production to 25 points and 10 rebounds per game, finishing as the school’s all-time leading scorer with 2,005 points. He graduated as a consensus four-star recruit.
Path to Basketball
Coming out of high school, Sims drew attention from several college programs and committed to the Texas Longhorns, choosing them over his hometown Minnesota Golden Gophers. His blend of size, athleticism, and finishing ability made him an attractive prospect for a program looking to build around a physical interior presence.
As a freshman at Texas, Sims averaged 5.0 points and 3.9 rebounds per game. His role expanded late in the year after an injury to Mo Bamba, giving him valuable experience in conference play. In his sophomore season, he posted 4.2 points and 3.6 rebounds per game before an ankle injury cut into his minutes.
His junior year was his most productive at Texas, averaging 9.7 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks per game before a stress fracture in his back against Baylor on February 10, 2020, ended his season. He earned All-Big 12 Honorable Mention that year. On March 13, 2021, he delivered 21 points and 14 rebounds in a 91–86 win over Oklahoma State in the Big 12 tournament title game, helping the Longhorns claim the NIT Championship. He returned for his senior year, averaging 9.2 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks per game with another All-Big 12 Honorable Mention nod. Following the season, Sims declared for the 2021 NBA Draft and later signed with Klutch Sports, forgoing his remaining college eligibility.
Jericho Sims Career
Early Career (2021–2022)
Sims was selected in the second round of the 2021 NBA Draft with the 58th overall pick by the New York Knicks. On August 8, 2021, he signed a two-way contract with New York, splitting his time between the NBA roster and the team’s G League affiliate, the Westchester Knicks. The arrangement allowed him to develop his game against professional competition while adjusting to the speed and physicality of the NBA.
He spent his first professional season balancing assignments between the Knicks and Westchester, focusing on conditioning, defensive positioning, and finishing around the rim. On July 9, 2022, Sims signed a three-year, partially guaranteed contract with the Knicks, signaling the organization’s confidence in his long-term development.
New York Knicks Breakthrough (2022–2025)
During the 2022–23 NBA season, Sims carved out a role as an energy big off the bench, contributing rebounds, rim protection, and lob-finishing at the rim. In February 2023, he was selected to replace Portland Trail Blazers rookie Shaedon Sharpe in the Slam Dunk Contest at the 2023 NBA All-Star Game, becoming one of the league’s most talked-about leapers during All-Star Weekend. He did not advance past the first round, but the appearance cemented his reputation as one of the NBA’s most athletic finishers.
Over the following seasons, Sims continued to provide the Knicks with interior defense and offensive rebounding while developing his pick-and-roll chemistry with the team’s guards. His hustle plays and lob-catching ability made him a fan favorite at Madison Square Garden, and he remained a consistent presence in the rotation through the 2024–25 season.
Milwaukee Bucks Era (2025–Present)
On February 6, 2025, Sims was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks as part of a multi-team deal. In 14 appearances for the Bucks, he averaged 2.4 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 0.8 assists, contributing energy and rim-running during the latter portion of the regular season. On March 17, 2025, Sims was ruled out for the remainder of the regular season after undergoing surgery to repair a torn ligament in his right thumb.
On July 1, 2025, Sims re-signed with the Bucks on a two-year contract, locking him in through the 2026–27 season. The new deal reflected the Bucks’ belief in his role as a rotational big and lob threat in their system.
Driving Style and Strengths
Sims plays with rare vertical explosiveness for a center, thriving as a lob target, offensive rebounder, and rim protector. He excels in screen-and-roll situations, finishing above the rim with authority and using his 6-foot-10 frame to control the glass. His energy plays and willingness to set hard screens make him a valuable connective piece in modern NBA rotations.
Notable Events and Milestones
Sims’ most memorable moment came at the 2023 NBA All-Star Weekend, when he was selected as a replacement for the Slam Dunk Contest. He also helped lead the Texas Longhorns to the 2019 NIT Championship and posted a 21-point, 14-rebound performance in the 2021 Big 12 tournament title game. His trade to the Bucks in February 2025 marked the start of a new chapter in his professional career.
Jericho Sims Career Wins
Sims has notched several key victories across his basketball career, including the 2019 NIT Championship at Texas and the 2021 Big 12 tournament title. At the NBA level, he has contributed to winning efforts with the New York Knicks and the Milwaukee Bucks, even as he focuses primarily on energy, rebounding, and defensive contributions rather than scoring volume.
College Highlights
Sims’ most significant college win came on March 13, 2021, when he posted 21 points and 14 rebounds to lead Texas to a 91–86 victory over Oklahoma State in the Big 12 tournament championship game. That performance helped the Longhorns capture the NIT Championship later that postseason, capping his senior campaign on a high note.
Other Wins & Performances
Beyond his college titles, Sims has earned individual recognition through two All-Big 12 Honorable Mention selections during his time at Texas. He has also posted efficient rebounding and shot-blocking numbers in limited NBA minutes, demonstrating his value as a rotational interior player.
Jericho Sims Family
Family Background and Basketball Lineage
Jericho Sims was raised in a highly athletic household in Minneapolis. His father, Charles Sims, played college basketball at the University of Minnesota before becoming a dentist. Two of Jericho’s brothers, Ty and Jason, also played NCAA Division I basketball, with Ty at Kansas State and Jason at Northern Iowa. Another brother, Dominique, played college football for Minnesota, continuing the family’s strong tradition in college athletics.
Personal Life
Sims keeps his personal life largely private and remains focused on his professional basketball career. He is currently based in Milwaukee, where he continues his role with the Bucks after re-signing in July 2025.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 calendar year was a turning point in Sims’ career. After spending most of the 2024–25 season with the New York Knicks, he was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks on February 6, 2025, joining a contending roster in the Eastern Conference. In 14 appearances with the Bucks, he posted averages of 2.4 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 0.8 assists while serving as an energy big off the bench.
His season was interrupted on March 17, 2025, when he underwent surgery to repair a torn ligament in his right thumb, ruling him out for the remainder of the regular season. The injury limited his ability to build momentum with his new team during the stretch run, but it did not affect his standing in the organization’s plans.
On July 1, 2025, Sims re-signed with the Bucks on a two-year contract, ensuring he remains in Milwaukee through the 2026–27 season. With a clean bill of health and a defined role in the rotation, Sims is positioned to contribute as a lob-finishing, rebounding specialist for a Bucks team aiming to compete in the Eastern Conference playoffs.