Simon says fame has its price
ANAHEIM, Calif. — To hear Miles Simon tell it, he's a virtual prisoner in his own
college town, staked out and stalked by autograph-hungry fans.
Arizona's standout guard calls the attention generated from winning last year's
national championship "too much."
"You can't go anywhere in Tucson. You can't go to the mall, you can't go eat
dinner with your girlfriend, you can't go out with friends," Simon said. "I've had
people bring basketballs to classes during finals to get signed. They will stop you,
they do not care."
Driving around, Simon's rear-view mirror is full of people following him. He's
pursued on foot, too.
"Attention is good sometimes ... but a lot of times it's really difficult," he said. "It has
worn thin. It's something that I don't think you ever really get used to."
Coach Lute Olson believes that by staying for his senior year, Simon gained
maturity that will help him when he gets to the NBA.
"It's been a demanding year for Miles. I don't know how many tens of thousands of
things he's signed, but he's had to do it with patience and poise," Olson said. "I'm
sure when he goes to sleep at night he sees people coming at him with Sports
Illustrated and Sharpie pens."