Jericho Sims has quietly established himself as one of the NBA’s most athletic big men since entering the league. After spending his first three-plus seasons with the New York Knicks, the high-flying center found a new home with the Milwaukee Bucks where he continues to develop his game and showcase his remarkable vertical leap. His journey from Minneapolis to the NBA is a testament to his work ethic and determination.
Jericho Sims’ Biography
| Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Jericho Eduard Sims |
| Date of Birth | October 20, 1998 |
| Age | 26 years |
| Education | University of Texas (African & African Diaspora Studies major, Anthropology minor) |
| Nationality | American |
| Height | 6’10” (2.08m) |
| Weight | 250 lbs (113kg) |
| Turned Pro | 2021 |
| Net Worth | Approximately $6 million (based on career earnings) |
| Salary | $2,092,344 |
| Relationship Status | N/A |
| @jumpmansims | |
| N/A |
Early Career
Jericho Sims’ basketball journey began at Cristo Rey Jesuit High School in Minneapolis, Minnesota, where he quickly established himself as a standout talent. During his junior season, he put up impressive numbers, averaging 21.8 points, 11.2 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game.
His senior year was even more remarkable as he improved to 25 points and 10 rebounds per game, cementing his status as one of the top prospects in Minnesota. By the time he graduated Sims had accumulated 2,005 career points, making him Cristo Rey Jesuit’s all-time leading scorer.
Sims had multiple college options but chose the University of Texas over his hometown University of Minnesota. At Texas, Sims’ development continued under the guidance of then-coach Shaka Smart. Throughout his four-year college career, Sims showed steady improvement.
Despite facing challenges including an ankle injury in his sophomore year and a stress fracture in his back during his junior season, he persevered and became a key contributor for the Longhorns.
His college career culminated in helping Texas win the 2021 Big 12 Tournament championship, where he was named to the All-Tournament Team. During that championship game against Oklahoma State, Sims delivered a dominant performance with 21 points and 14 rebounds, showcasing his potential for NBA scouts.
Professional Career
Jericho Sims entered the professional basketball world when the New York Knicks selected him with the 58th overall pick in the second round of the 2021 NBA Draft. Initially signing a two-way contract on August 8, 2021, Sims split time between the Knicks and their G-League affiliate, the Westchester Knicks. Despite being one of the last picks in the draft, Sims quickly showed his value through his athleticism, rebounding prowess, and defensive capabilities.
Sims appeared in 41 games for the Knicks, including five starts, showcasing his potential as a backup center. His second season saw increased responsibility as he played in 52 games with 16 starts, impressively shooting 77.6% from the field. One highlight of his early NBA career came during the 2023 NBA All-Star Weekend when he participated in the AT&T Slam Dunk Contest, finishing third behind winner Mac McClung.
A testament to his efficiency came in January 2023, when Sims made 17 consecutive field goal attempts, falling just two short of Johnny Newman’s club record of 19 straight makes set in 1988.
After three-plus seasons with the Knicks, Sims was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks in 2025, where he now serves as a backup center, bringing his elite athleticism and rim protection to a team with championship aspirations.
Jericho Sims’ Net Worth Details
Jericho Sims’ net worth is estimated to be $6 million as of 2025.
Contract
Jericho Sims is currently playing under the final year of a three-year contract he signed with the New York Knicks valued at $5,658,206. This contract, which began in the 2022-23 season, included $3,565,862 in guaranteed money. While the contract was originally signed with the Knicks, Sims was traded to the Milwaukee who took on the remainder of his deal.
The contract includes partial guarantees, with compensation protection for the 2024-25 season set at $1,302,359. According to the terms, his contract would become fully guaranteed if not waived by August 16, 2024, or 45 days after the end of the 2024-25 moratorium period.
Upon completion of the 2024-25 season, Sims will become an unrestricted free agent (UFA), allowing him to sign with any team without his previous team having the right to match offers.
Salary
Jericho Sims is earning a salary of $2,092,344, which represents approximately 1.47% of the NBA salary cap. This figure marks an 8.52% increase from his 2023-24 salary of $1,927,896.
Despite his athletic abilities and role as a backup center, Sims’ salary ranks him as the 399th highest-paid player in the NBA and the 56th highest-paid center for the 2024-25 season. Within the Milwaukee Bucks organization, he stands as the 11th highest-paid player on the team.
His current salary reflects the typical progression for a second-round draft pick who has shown enough value to earn a standard NBA contract after initially playing on a two-way deal. Sims is represented by agents Jason Glushon and Josh Ketroser, who negotiated his current contract.
Career Earnings
| Season | Team | Salary | Adjusted for Inflation* |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021-22 | New York Knicks | $462,629 | $534,959 |
| 2022-23 | New York Knicks | $1,639,842 | $1,738,704 |
| 2023-24 | New York Knicks | $1,927,896 | $1,985,181 |
| 2024-25 | Milwaukee Bucks | $2,092,344 | $2,092,344 |
| Total Career Earnings | $6,122,711 | $6,351,188 |
NBA Career Statistics
| Season | Team | Games | Games Started | MPG | PPG | RPG | APG | FG% | BPG | SPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021-22 | New York Knicks | 41 | 5 | 13.5 | 2.2 | 4.1 | 0.5 | 72.2% | 0.5 | 0.3 |
| 2022-23 | New York Knicks | 52 | 16 | 15.6 | 3.4 | 4.7 | 0.5 | 77.6% | 0.5 | 0.3 |
| 2023-24 | New York Knicks | 45 | 11 | 13.0 | 2.0 | 3.3 | 0.6 | 69.1% | 0.4 | 0.2 |
| 2024-25* | New York Knicks | 39 | 5 | 10.8 | 1.6 | 3.3 | 0.6 | 60.9% | 0.3 | 0.2 |
| 2024-25* | Milwaukee Bucks | 14 | 0 | 15.0 | 2.4 | 4.9 | 0.8 | 68.0% | 0.6 | 0.1 |
| Career | 191 | 37 | 13.5 | 2.3 | 3.9 | 0.6 | 71.9% | 0.5 | 0.2 |
FAQs
1. What team does Jericho Sims currently play for and what was his path to the NBA?
Jericho Sims currently plays for the Milwaukee Bucks after being traded from the New York Knicks in early 2025. He was originally selected by the Knicks with the 58th overall pick in the 2nd round of the 2021 NBA Draft after playing four years at the University of Texas. Sims spent his first four NBA seasons with the Knicks before joining the Bucks, where he serves as a backup center.
2. What makes Jericho Sims’ athleticism stand out among NBA players?
Sims possesses exceptional athleticism highlighted by his remarkable 44.5-inch max vertical jump recorded at the 2021 NBA Draft Combine, which tied for the third-highest in the event’s history. At 6’10” and 250 pounds, his combination of size and leaping ability makes him an explosive finisher around the rim. His wingspan of 7’3″ further enhances his athletic profile, allowing him to be effective as both a shot blocker and lob threat.
3. What recent injury did Sims suffer and how has it affected his availability?
Sims underwent surgery to repair a torn ligament in his right thumb. The Bucks announced he would be sidelined for approximately four weeks but was likely to return during the playoffs. Despite the injury, he has managed to appear in Milwaukee’s first-round playoff series against the Indiana Pacers, playing limited minutes while contributing primarily on the defensive end and as a rebounder.
4. How did Jericho Sims perform during his college career at Texas?
Sims developed into a defensive anchor and efficient scorer. He earned All-Big 12 Honorable Mention selections in both his junior and senior seasons. As a senior in 2020-21, he averaged 9.2 points and 7.2 rebounds while shooting an impressive 69.6% from the field. He helped the Longhorns win their first Big 12 Tournament title and finished his career as Texas’ all-time leader in field goal percentage (63.9%).
5. What role does Sims typically play on an NBA team and what are his strengths?
Sims primarily serves as a backup center who provides energy and athleticism off the bench. His strengths include setting solid screens, rolling hard to the rim, aggressive rebounding (particularly on the offensive glass), and versatile defense. While not a scoring threat outside the paint, he’s extremely efficient near the basket with a career 71.4% field goal percentage. His ability to switch onto smaller players defensively and protect the rim makes him valuable in today’s NBA.
