Former champ Justin Simon reunites with ratiopharm ulm

The versatile swingman won the EuroCup with Paris in 2024

ratiopharm ulm has brought back a familiar face to strengthen its roster: versatile swingman Justin Simon has signed a contract through the end of the 2025–26 season. Simon (1.96 meters, 29 years old) returns for a second stint at Ulm, which he played briefly for in the German League during the 2021-22 season, and a second run in the BKT EuroCup, which he won with Paris Basketball in 2024.

Simon was an injury replacement for Karim Jallow at the start of the 2021-22 season and scored 11 points in 32 minutes in a season-opening win over FC Bayern Munich and followed that up with 15 points and 4 rebounds against Telekom Bonn. His time with the club ended when Jallow returned, and Simon moved to fellow German side MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg.

Since then, Simon’s résumé has grown. He won the Australian championship in 2023 with the Sydney Kings and enjoyed a majestic season with Paris, where in addition to the EuroCup crown he captured the French Cup and helped the team reach French League finals for the first time. Simon averaged 7.2 points, 3.8 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 1.6 steals per game in 14 EuroCup appearances. He ranked ninth in the competition in steals.

Last season, Simon returned to Ludwigsburg and posted 10.9 points, 6.7 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and a league-leading 2.3 steals per game. He signed to play in China this season with the Shanxi Loongs, but a delay to the season allowed Simon to leave the club and join Ulm. Simon has also played for the Windy City Bulls in the G League, Illawara in Australia, Bnei Herzeliya in Israel and Verona in Italy since playing college basketball at the University of Arizona and at St. John's.

“We are very happy that Justin will wear our jersey again,” said Ulm sporting director Thorsten Leibenath. “In our eyes, he is one of the most versatile BBL players of recent years. His energy, speed, toughness, and experience will enrich our game on many levels. The fact that he can play almost any position gives us flexibility in a challenging situation.”