CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. – Southeast Missouri's men's basketball program signed shooting guard Curtis "Champ" Simpson Tuesday. Simpson will join the Redhawks in 2026-27.
 
A native of Cusseta, Georgia, Simpson (6'2", 165) is a 2025-26 First-Team Preseason Class 1A D-II All-State selection entering his senior season at Chattahoochee County High School. He averaged 25.1 points, 7.3 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game there as a junior. In the state playoffs, Simpson scored 23.4 points, pulled down 8.2 rebounds and dished out 4.2 assists per contest.
 
"We have done very well in our program with players that possess the shiftiness, competitiveness and composure that Champ brings to SEMO," said Head Coach Brad Korn. "He has a mature body and feel for the game as well as a beautiful release on his jump shot."
 
Simpson earned Second-Team Class A D-II All-State honors and was voted the Class A D-II Region 6 Co-Player of the year. One of the top wings in Georgia, he was ranked as the #1 scorer in the region/area by MaxPreps following the 2024-25 campaign. 
 
"Champ is more athletic than people might give him credit for," added Korn. "I feel like he is a diamond in the rough type of player that everyone will realize his value once they see him play. I don't see any reason why he can't become a fantastic two-way player for us and develop into another dynamic SEMO guard."
 
Simpson joins forward Axton Perry (Memphis, Tenn./Bartlett H.S.) in the 2026-27 class.