Former Seminole State College basketball star Simone Edwards, who became the first Jamaican woman to play in the WNBA and was a major standout in the Seattle Storm’s first season in 2000, passed away Thursday, February 16. She had been dealing privately with health challenges after being diagnosed with stage 4 ovarian cancer in May 2021.

“Simone had a personality that was larger than life – and a heart that was equal in size,” Lana Reynolds, Seminole State College President, recalls. “She formed a foundation to help children in her home country and was quick to offer encouragement to others in person and on social media. We are proud that Seminole State College was a part of her fascinating story. We extend our sympathy to her family, friends and former teammates and teachers,” Reynolds stated.

In an August 2020 medium.com interview titled “I Am Living Proof Of The American Dream,” Edwards told of growing up in an impoverished, crime infested community in Jamaica. The sound of gunfire was common at night, and it was not unusual for children to collect spent bullet shells the next day.

Edwards excelled at track, hoping for a scholarship to the United States so she would have an opportunity to help her mother. While competing for her high school in the 100meter event at the national high school girl’s championship, she was offered a scholarship to the USA – but it was in basketball based on her 6’4” height and athleticism – not track.

She accepted, even though she had never played basketball. It was her path to an education and helping her mother break the cycle of poverty. After spending a year learning the game, she accepted a scholarship to Seminole State.

In the article Simone tells of leaving home with a suitcase of warm clothes and $100 her family was able to scrape up – the most money she had ever had. Her plan was to live mainly on mangoes and other fruit, which were plentiful in Jamaica, and occasionally buy a quarter loaf of bread with butter like she did at home.

When she arrived in Seminole, she discovered there were no fruit trees along the roadways or in the nearby yards. There were no nearby shops, and none that sold a quarter loaf of bread.

She recalls seeing Indians that were like what she had seen on black and white television in Jamaica. There were also cowboys with the hats and boots, but she didn’t see any of their beautiful horses.

Because she didn’t have a car and there were no buses, she stayed in her dorm on campus. The cafeteria was closed on the weekends, so she went hungry. One night she became so frustrated she grabbed her suitcase and began heading home to Jamaica in the middle of the night.

Her teammates called their coach, and he came to see what the problem was. After telling him about what she was going through, he made arrangements with the cafeteria manager to make certain she was never out of food again.

She soon began making friends with her teammates, fans, and fellow students. She learned to do the “achy freaky dance” and how to sing a Teva or Garth Brooks song complete with her fake country accent.

“I can’t say enough about my coach Brad Walck, who believed in me from day one and is simply a great guy,” Simone added.

Simone earned several collegiate sports awards while playing for Seminole State, and became the first Kodak All-American player in the school’s history. She led the team to an undefeated conference record, earning them a Top-10 ranking.

From Seminole, Simone became team co-captain at the University of Iowa under legendary coach C. Vivian Stringer.

Upon graduation she signed to the Women’s National Basketball Association’s (WNBA) New York Liberty team in 1997, becoming the first Jamaican female player in the WNBA. She switched to the WNBA Seattle Storm in 2000.

According to ESPN, Simone played six seasons with the Storm, averaging 5.3 points and 3.5 rebounds per game. She was a popular fan favorite nicknamed the “Jamaican Hurricane.” She started 48 games during her Storm career and was on Seattle’s first of four championship teams in 2004.

She retired from the WNBA before the start of the 2006 season at age 32.

Edwards represented Jamaica at the 2006 Caribbean Basketball Confederation Championships, winning a gold medal, the country’s firstever medal.

In 2007 Simone was hired as an assistant to Head coach Jeri Porter at Redford University, and moved with Porter to George Mason University from 2008-2011.

Simone took advantage of her platform as a professional athlete to help improve the lives of others. During her time with the Storm, she founded the Simone4Children Organization, focused on supporting her charitable efforts in Jamaica and giving back to the local community.

This led to partnerships with local and international entities, such as Food for the Poor, which aided in starting a basic school and after-care program in the crime infested neighborhood she grew up in.

She also founded the Anti-Bully Project, participating in numerous national events advocating against bullying.

In 2017 the Government of Jamaica awarded Simone with the Order of Distinction recognizing citizens of Jamaica who have rendered outstanding and important service to Jamaica in their respective field.

She was also named coordinator of the national youth basketball program, the Jamaica Basketball Association.

“I achieved my dream working hard in preparation for the opportunity when it came,” she replied when asked what motivates her. “My hope is to inspire others to achieve and fulfill their dreams as well.”

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