Kearney, Neb. – Nebraska-Kearney head men's basketball coach Kevin Lofton announced today that David Simental, who set the Colorado State-Pueblo single game scoring record this season, will suit up for the Lopers next winter.

Simental (Pueblo West, Colo.) is a 6-2, 185-pound guard who has two years of eligibility remaining thanks to the 2020-21 campaign being a "free season" for NCAA Division II winter sport student-athletes. He is the fifth recruit to date following New Zealand forward Sean Murphy, veteran shooter Nick Huston (Rigby, Idaho/Snow J.C. & Idaho State U.) and guards Cam Binder (Auburn H.S.) and Sean Evans (Parker, Colo./Legend H.S.).

"We're extremely excited to have David join us. I think he fits our program -- from a character stand point, on the court, in the classroom and in the community -- to a tee. He's a perfect fit when it comes to all of those things," UNK head coach Kevin Lofton said. "He can play multiple positions but we'll have him at point guard. David can score it at all three levels with his strength being mid-range shooting. He's a good three-point shooter, has the ability to get to the basket and makes plays for others. David is exactly what we need at the guard spot right now." 

The 2016 Colorado Prep Basketball Player of the Year while playing at Pueblo West High, Simental was among the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference's (RMAC) top scorers the past two seasons. He averaged 15.9 game in 2019-20 and then upped that to 18.9 this past season (18 games). Simental had eight games where he reached at least 20 points including a school-record 48 in a 106-103 overtime loss to Westminster (Utah). He made 14 of 20 shots (5 of 8 threes) as well as 15 of 16 free throws in that game. Simental has ranked among D2's best free throw shooters the past two years, connecting on 93% of his attempts in 2021.

A two-time second-team All-RMAC pick, Simental shot 56% from the field as a redshirt junior while also supplying 2.8 rebounds and 2.6 assists a night. He ranked in the RMAC top seven in scoring, field goal and free throw percentage. In his first year at CSUP Simental ranked third in the RMAC in minutes (33.7) and 10th in scoring and went for 42 points in an OT loss to Fort Lewis. Finally, he carries a 3.96 grade point average as a Sociology major. 

"We recruited him out of junior college and felt like we were very close to getting him but it just didn't go our way. He decided he wanted to stay closer to home," Lofton said. "The second time around, because of the relationship we had built with him, I think that played a major factor in him coming. David played at an extremely high level the past two years at Colorado State-Pueblo. That's very exciting for us."

Prior to returning home to Pueblo Simental played at Central Wyoming College and Division II Montana State-Billings. He was a second-team All-Region IX pick at CWC, averaging 15.6 points, 2.8 assists and 2.7 rebounds nightly. Simental had 22 double figure games for the Rustlers and went for 30 in a win over Williston (N.D.) State. Finally, his freshman season at MSUB was cut short after five games to injury.

At Pueblo West he was a two-time first-team all-state selection who averaged 26.7 points and 2.6 assists per game as a senior. He helped the Cyclones win 77 games over four seasons as well as the 2016 Class 4A state title. Simental ended his prep career with 1,958 points and set the school single game (43) and single season (688) scoring records.

In a shortened 22-game season in 2020-21, UNK played 13 games decided by eight points or less, picked up two wins over Central Missouri, one over rival Fort Hays State and another against NCAA Tournament qualifier Missouri Western. Among the returners will be All-MIAA pick Austin Luger (Alliance).