The San Antonio Spurs always seem to find a Diamond in the Rough, real bargain hunters! This time, their new hidden weapon 26-year-old wing Jonathon Simmons has a seriously amazing inspirational journey to where he now stands!

Simmons made it to the NBA through less tan traditional paths. He went through two junior coleges, was at the Uni of Houston for a while and declared as draft earlu on. He then went undrafted and played in the ABL for a year, then for two years in the D-League with the Austin Spurs.

He was signed to the Summer league in the summer and then up to the official roster.

Talking with Business Insider Simmons said;

“It wasn’t a smooth process,” Simmons told Business Insider during a phone interview, “but I think just the love for the game helped me get through it.”

Simmons did amazing in the D-League despite just falling into it. Although he nearly quit the sport.

In 2013, he was invited to try out for the Austin Spurs, the San Antonio Spurs’ D-League affiliate, a last attempt to stay in basketball.

He even had to pay a $150 registration fee just to try out! He had to prove himself amongst many others.

And thus began the journey back to the NBA. Basically, NEVER GIVE UP!

Read more about his story here on Business Insider.