CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. – Southeast Missouri added guards Dondre Duffus and Daniel Simmons to its 2016-17 roster Wednesday.
 
"With the addition of Dondre and Daniel, our team has become tougher and more physical," said Southeast head coach Rick Ray. "Both are strong guards who should help us defensively and with our paint attacks on the offensive end."
 
A native of Palm Beach, Florida, Duffus (6'3", 180) was a two-year starting guard at St. Petersburg College. He led the Titans in scoring (14.1 ppg), assists (81) and steals (57) en route to claiming Suncoast Conference Player of the Year honors last season. Duffus garnered first-team all-conference accolades each of his junior college seasons.
 
"We are excited about getting a player of Dondre's stature," said Ray. "He is a true combo guard that can attack the paint from either position. I believe that Dondre can come in and provide some explosive plays for us in transition and off of ball screens. Coach [Earnest] Crumbley is a very good coach that runs a disciplined program, so we think Dondre will have a smooth transition into our program."
 
As a freshman in 2014-15, Duffus averaged 10.2 points per contest, notched a team-high 98 assists and ranked second on the team in steals (42).
 
"Dondre is going to be a good leader both on and off the floor," added Crumbley. "He is versatile and has the ability to play any style of basketball you want him to play. Dondre can score in a variety of ways and has a high basketball I.Q. He makes his teammates around him better."
 
As a prep, Duffus attended Boyd Anderson High School, where he averaged 13.7 points, 3.2 rebounds, 4.6 assists and 2.2 steals as a senior.
 
Simmons (6'2", 190), who hails from Biggersville, Mississippi, led East Mississippi Community College in scoring (15.5 ppg) and ranked second on the team in steals (33) and assists (51) last season. He knocked down a team-high 63 three-pointers and was among the Lions' top free throw shooters making 74.3 percent of his attempts.
 
"Daniel was his team's leading scorer, but more importantly, led his team to the National Junior College Championship Tournament," said Ray. "He is a tough, aggressive wing that will provide us with a physical presence from the guard spot. One thing that stood out most with me about Daniel in my conversations with Bill Begley, head coach at East Mississippi, is that he said in drills, workouts, practice and games that Daniel is 'ultra competitive.' That competitive fire will serve our team well."
 
Simmons started all 29 games, leading EMCC to a 20-9 record and the National Junior College Athletic Association Tournament in Hutchinson, Kansas. He was named to this year's NJCAA Region 23 All-Tournament team. Simmons is from the same junior college as former Southeast standout and two-time All-Ohio Valley Conference selection Jarekious Bradley.
 
"Daniel is a great kid and is fun to be around," said Begley. "He is very competitive in everything that he does and gives 120 percent every time he steps on the court. Daniel has worked hard at becoming more than just a shooter. He is a really good rebounder at the guard position and defends well. Daniel saw the commitment that Coach Ray and his staff showed throughout the recruiting process. I think he will be able to make an impact at Southeast Missouri right away."
 
As a freshman in 2014-15, Simmons averaged 10.9 points in 26 games and 18 starts, and was the Lions' top free throw shooter (78.7 pct.). He had 31 assists and 24 steals that year, as well.
 
Prior to EMCC, Simmons was a two-time all-state basketball performer, averaging 21.2 points, 4.2 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 2.1 steals at Biggersville High School. A participant for the North team during the 2013 MAC All-Star Game, Simmons was a 2013-14 Jackson Clarion-Ledger Preseason Dandy Dozen selection after helping pace BHS to the Class 1A state championship as a junior.
 
Duffus and Simmons join guards Tahj Eaddy (6'2", 165, West Haven, Conn./Tennessee Preparatory Academy), Denzel Mahoney (6'4", 200, Oviedo, Fla./Hagerty H.S.) and Ray Kowalski (6'3", 185, Concord, N.C./Concord H.S.) in next year's class.