The former SMU forward left for Den Helder, 45 minutes outside of Amsterdam, Monday to embark on a new chapter of her life.
Den Helder enjoyed a good season last year before losing to the eventual champion Binnenland in the quarter finals.
“I wasn’t sure where I was going, but I was hoping I could further my basketball career somewhere,” Simpson said. ”So when I graduated, I was working out and just staying in shape, and the opportunity presented itself.”
The former SMU player was quick to credit all her experiences at SMU that helped her prepare for this moment.
“I learned at SMU really good people skills because SMU is so diverse and I’ll be able to talk to different people and interact with different people of all walks of life.”
Simpson’s family held a farewell party in Desoto with her closest friends and family on Friday.
Those at the party were not surprised that Simpson received an opportunity to further her career. Marchelle Harris Wright, Simpson’s aunt, always her hard work would pay off one day.
“Of course, she’s been playing basketball ever since she was a little girl; she’s always had the drive and the power to succeed,” Wright said.
Karen Simpson, Simpson’s aunt, was also not surprised by how far Simpson has come.
“I thought it was all possible because she is a overachiever and gives 110 percent to anything that she does, so she’s capable of doing anything,” Karen said.
Wright was just as quick to attribute Simpson’s success to her personality as she was to credit SMU for all they have done.
“I think it has helped her grow academically, as well as athletically,” Wright said. ”But I think she entered knowing who she was and what she was capable of doing, and they just pushed it and drove her and gave her that force to do all of that.”
As big of an accomplishment as Simpson has made however, she is certainly aware of some of the challenges that lie ahead for her as well.
“My biggest adjustment is that I’m going to have to learn Dutch,” Simpson said. “So I might have to get a Rosetta Stone or something like that, so I think that is the biggest adjustment I am going to have to make.”
Simpson was also quick to note that while excited, she is nervous to see what the future holds for her.
“I’m very excited. It can be a little scary. I am a little nervous, but it’s exciting. I’m going to play basketball which is something I love to do and play in front of people who are going to scream my name in another language, so I’m excited,” Simpson said.
Simpson was not afraid of this and is certainly excited to get together with her new teammates.
“I think that’s the most exciting part, getting to meet new teammates that maybe don’t have the same background as I do, not from the same city and places that I am,” Simpson said. “So to meet new people and play with different people and different girls is going to be really fun.”
As for whether there is a trip in store across the pond to see Simpson play, Karen Simpson was quick to note that trip is already in the works. Karen was able to see Simpson play approximately twelve games while she was at SMU, but is excited for the opportunity to see her play again.
“We’re gonna watch, and we are going to try to take a trip over there,” Karen said.
