Beyond the Game: Aton (Tony) Simms’ Lifelong Mission to Inspire the Next Generation

CAO’s Empowering Stories from Behind the Bench article series – December 2025

“You learn to win when taught by proven mentors who include success in relationship building and personal development.”

By David Grossman

The grand adventure may very well have started when a youngster, who was living on a farm in Jamaica, spent his Saturday mornings in front of a television.

Appealing to him was the wizardry of a distinct group of basketball players who were combining athleticism, talent and some entertainment with their style of play. That American team was known as the Harlem Globetrotters – an inspiring gathering of athletes with unbelievable and gifted ball-handling skills.

Fixated to the screen, that seven-year-old would conclude that, for him, it was the right time to merge his own superb qualities. Despite his young age, he was already established as a world class triple jumper and gifted in soccer so much so, that he was constantly observed by scouts from professional teams

The name of that youngster was Aton Simms. It wasn’t long before the basketball world would get to know him as “Tony” Simms, an individual who would use his gifted talent focussing on a sport invented by a Canadian.

Simms, too, would become a national icon, a sports legend, an Olympian, and a member of the esteemed Canadian Basketball Hall of Fame. What he didn’t know back then was that he was becoming a role model for thousands.

Talk to him today and he has stories – lots of them.

Simms likes to share an amusing episode in which his mother bought him a soccer ball, while thinking it was a basketball. Simms would devote his time to dribbling with it around various rooms. His actions – at that age – caused a kerfuffle knocking over some coveted household items while impersonating the dazzling talent of the Globetrotters.

Fast forward to 1984, and Simms would live his dream. He became a member of that classic Globetrotters squad. As for a salary, Simms was offered a stipend of about $500 a week. Nice, but not enough to live on.

Times would change, financial remunerations were higher, and he would play the game of hoops around the world – from Spain to Mexico, the Philippines to the United States.

Simms had already moved with his family to Toronto after being sponsored by an older sister, who was a chief microbiologist at the former Wellesley Hospital.

As a student at Stephen Leacock Collegiate, Simms was well-liked, gifted and would be chosen Athlete of the Year. At 6-foot-5, Simms was dominant on the basketball court and became one of the best teenage players in the country. He led his school team to a provincial championship while constantly focused on improving his development and skills.

A point guard, Simms was smart as well as agile – and quick for a big guy. There weren’t many players better at the defensive game than Simms. Opponents would quickly find out that he was not only tough to play against, but he was diligent with a basketball.

Highly recruited, he was eager to get better, wanted to study, learn and play in the United States. In a conversation with his mother, conscious of huge costs for education, Simms would decide to accept a rare two-sport scholarship (for basketball and track) to Ohio State University.

“She saw what I had wanted and told me – so let it be written, so let it be done,” recalled Simms. “My mom was a believer – and I became one, too. I was one of the first in Canada to get one of those special multi-sport scholarships and my mom was thrilled.

“Basketball was my love. You would always find me in the gym. Focussing on that sport, I made the decision to leave (Ohio State) after one year to focus strictly on basketball and attended Pensacola Junior College in Florida. My physical size and the way I played was very attractive to other schools and I went on to Boston University.”

Having earned a degree, Simms would later be inducted to the Boston University Sports Hall of Fame. As a pro, he was drafted by the New York Knicks in the National Basketball Association.

While he may not have been the top scorer for his team, his job – and he did it well – was to stymie top players on opposing teams. That job included some eye-catching moments that created misery for a player many got to know as Michael Jordan.

Playing the game was one thing. Benefitting from advisers was something he admired. As for coaching, paramount to Simms was the knowledge he gained from notable mentors like Rick Pitino, Red Auerbach and Hubie Brown.

Simms would become more than just a performer in the game, he was known as the defensive stopper whose athleticism and confidence were emboldened game after game.

When his playing days ended in 2000, Simms didn’t go far from basketball. The desire to help others became a priority. As for coaching, something he has done for some 40 years, Simms claims it ranks with his finest moments.

“I focussed on other areas of life,” said Simms, who transitioned from star athlete to a respected coach and adviser. “I got into the financial field, also doing motivational speaking and became a partner in Remix Sports Academy, which focuses on a variety of areas in a high-performance environment and includes discipline, competitive play and skills development for youngsters between the ages of 11 and 16.”

For Simms, now 66-years-old, a father and residing in Toronto, he had a desire to teach, coach and be the one to emphasize fundamental concepts that allow the level of play of a person to get better and become more meaningful for young people.

“I believed there was a special response to athletic development,” said Simms. “My formula to be successful is to emphasize imagination with intelligence, control and discipline. We do it naturally but rarely combine it. To help young athletes move to levels they never thought they could achieve.”

While appreciative of his coaches, there were more who impacted his life.

“I wish there was a way to thank every person, there are so many, for their contribution to my life and playing a huge role in what I have achieved,” said Simms. “Most coaches talk about winning … to me you learn to win when taught when by proven mentors and better if they include success in finance, relationship building and personal development.”

“For young people they can never get better if they don’t know their discipline, put in the work, have confidence to challenge themselves and be honourable make intelligent decisions with wisdom. For myself, I wanted to play professional basketball – and I was able to figure out a simple plan that allowed me to achieve great success.

“Now, I teach these principles and the proven blueprint steps through the game of basketball so others can realize their success as entrepreneurs or sport athletes. It’s my way to leave a legacy for others.”

The Coaches Association of Ontario (CAO) continues to highlight individuals for their time, talent and support in improving performance and increasing confidence of athletes. These stories are shared with an extensive community as part of the popular series called “Empowering Stories from Behind the Bench”.”

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David Grossman is a veteran multi award-winning Journalist and Broadcaster with some of Canada’s major media, including the Toronto Star and SPORTSNET 590 THE FAN, and a Public Relations professional for 45+ years in Canadian sports and Government relations.

“I teach proven blueprint steps through the game of basketball so others can realize their success as entrepreneurs or sport athletes.”