A Legendary Mid-Major's Legacy: Lionel 'L-Train' Simmons' Impact on College Hoops
The John R. Wooden Award, a prestigious honor in college basketball, is set to celebrate its 50th anniversary this season. As the excitement builds up to the award ceremony on April 10, 2026, The Sporting Tribune, in collaboration with the Wooden Award and the Los Angeles Athletic Club, takes a trip down memory lane to showcase the remarkable achievements of past recipients.
While most Wooden Award winners have come from the elite ranks of college basketball, there have been a few exceptional mid-major talents who have left an indelible mark on the sport. One such player was Lionel 'L-Train' Simmons, a dominant force from La Salle University.
Simmons, a true legend in the making, is the NCAA's fifth all-time leading scorer. His impact on the MAAC Conference, a storied league, is unparalleled. He etched his name in history by scoring in double-figures in an astonishing 115 consecutive games, a record that stands to this day.
In the 1989-90 season, Simmons led the Explorers to an impressive 30-2 overall record, including a flawless 16-0 run through the MAAC. La Salle's only regular-season loss that year was a memorable battle against Hank Gathers-led Loyola-Marymount at Philadelphia's Convention Hall, where two nationally ranked mid-majors clashed.
During his senior year, Simmons averaged a remarkable 26.5 points and shot a career-high 48% from the 3-point line. However, his most productive season came as a junior in 1988-89, where he averaged career-highs of 28.4 points, 11.4 rebounds, and 3 assists. Despite his outstanding performance, Simmons didn't yet have the name recognition to secure the Wooden Award.
Simmons achieved another remarkable feat by becoming the first player in NCAA history to reach 3,000 career points and 1,000 career rebounds. He remains one of only three players to accomplish this during their NCAA career, with Texas Southern's Harry Miles achieving the same in the early 1980s, albeit during the school's NAIA days.
A three-time recipient of the prestigious Robert V. Geasey trophy, awarded to the top player in the Big 5 alliance of historic Philadelphia-based Division I programs, Simmons was drafted by the Sacramento Kings with the seventh overall pick in the 1990 NBA Draft. His seven-year NBA career was a testament to his talent, finishing second in the Rookie of the Year voting.
After his NBA career, Simmons returned to his beloved Philadelphia, where he had already become a local legend due to his basketball prowess at South Philadelphia High School and his impact at La Salle. His impact on the city's basketball culture is immeasurable, solidifying his status as a true Philadelphia legend.
