CEDAR CITY, Utah – Southern Utah University and head men's basketball coach Rob Jeter has announced the signing of two new Thunderbirds: Jamir Simpson (Lima, Oh), Nestor Dyachok (Moscow, Russia) and Dominique Ford (Las Vegas, NV).

Simpson is a 6'6 forward, and a redshirt junior from Lima, Ohio who most recently was playing at the University of Wisconsin–Parkside.

"Jamir is a tough, physical wing that can stretch the defense and mix it up inside. He's a very skilled scorer and a strong defender that will add some much-needed college experience to our program." Said Jeter.

Simpson played in all 30 games for the Rangers last season and started in 29. He earned second-team all-conference honors on 46% from the floor and 33% from three.

He was the second leading scorer on the team, finishing the year at just under 15ppg and led the team in total rebounds and rebounds per game at 180 total and six per game.

Jamir had three double-doubles last season. He surpassed the 20-point mark nine times with his highest-scoring game being an efficient 28-point outburst on 12-16 from the floor against Cardinal Stritch.

In the 2021-22 season, as a redshirt freshman, Simpson started all 28 games for the Rangers, was the second leading scorer on the team, averaging over 12 points per game, and led the team in rebounding with 146 total rebounds on the year.

Simpson played his first year of college basketball at the University of Pikeville where he averaged 11 points and 5.5 rebounds per game including two double-doubles and a 29-point game. He shot an impressive 57% from the floor on 183 field goal attempts.

 

Nestor Dyachok, a 6'9 forward from Moscow, Russia will be joining the Thunderbirds by way of Casper College.

Dyachok averaged over 10 points on just eight shots per game last season. He was second on the team in rebounds per game at 5.5 and led the team in offensive rebounds with 62.

"Nestor is a 6'9 big that can shoot the three really well. He will be able to play inside and outside, and in today's game that is one of the most important things." Said coach Jeter.

Nestor led his team in assist-to-turnover ratio at 1.8 and shot an incredible 83% from the free throw line.

In just 24 minutes per game, Dyachok shot 45% from the field and 35% from three. He scored in double-digits 15 times his freshman year, and had one double-double.

His highest-scoring performance was 18 points which came during a three-game stretch where he scored 17, 18, and then 17 again.

Jeter also commented on the relationship between assistant coach Shaun Gutting and Nestor, who played for Gutting at Casper College. "Having a previous relationship with our staff is huge in the success and the family element of our program."

Dominique Ford is a 6'4" guard. Ford was born in Las Vegas, Nevada, and is transferring to Southern Utah by way of the University of Idaho.

In his one year as a Vandal, he played in 31 games and started 16. He averaged just 20 minutes a game but was efficient in his time on the court, averaging six points and two rebounds per game. Ford shoots it well from three, making 32 of his 81 attempts (39.5%) on the year.

His highest-scoring game was a 31-point outburst on 7-11 from three and 57% from the floor.

"I love guys that can play multiple positions, and Dom's size allows him to do that. He is big for a guard, he can initiate our offense if we need him to, as well as run the floor in transition and knock down spot-up threes." Said coach Jeter, "He's a long athletic defender that can score at will."

Before Idaho, Ford was at the College of Southern Nevada where he averaged 19 points per game and earned first-team all-region honors after his sophomore season. He made 148 free throws his sophomore year, which was more than anyone else in the region attempted.

In his freshman year, he averaged 16 points and five rebounds per game and was named to the all-region second team.

Ford was a member of the 1,000-point club at Desert Oasis High School. In his senior year, he averaged 22 points per game and was selected to the all-conference first team

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