El Dorado’s basketball season wasn’t a dream-come-true for Brendan Simmons.
But the senior saw one of his goals come to fruition when he accepted an offer to play basketball at the University of Central Arkansas as a preferred walk-on.
The plan was in the works for a few weeks but placed on hold due to the COVID-19 lockout. Coach Gary Simmons said his son got the call on Tuesday.
“They had a coaches’ meeting (Tuesday). We thought this was going to happen when the current coaching staff stayed at UCA. It wasn’t official until the assistant coach called us tonight,” Coach Simmons said.
Brendan Simmons led the Wildcats with 15 points per game.
He also had career-highs in rebounds (6.5) and assists (4.3).
The 6-foot-2 shooting guard had his heart set on UCA for a while.
“To see him get to go where he wants to go … it’s the same as his older brother. His brother had dreams since he was little of being a Razorback. And, he got to do that for a little while. Brendan, since the first time we went to see a game at UCA, Brendan has wanted to go there,” said Coach Simmons.
“Some of his friends are going there. He really liked the coaching staff that was there. He just felt like that was where he needed to be.
“Some kids have dreams of playing at North Carolina or Duke. Brendan had a dream of playing at UCA and he’s going to get to do that.”