Beyond Borders: Hannah Simental’s Global Basketball Journey
Former Pueblo West standout turns lifelong passion into a professional career across the world
Hannah Simental hits a wide open 3 pointer for the South West Metro Pirates in Australia
For Hannah Simental, basketball has become much more than practices, routines, and endless hours in the gym
It has become a passport to the world.
What began on the hardwood floors of Jerry Kersey Gymnasium at Pueblo West High School has evolved into a professional basketball career ranging over multiple countries and continents.
Prior to her professional playing career overseas, Simental established herself as one of the premier basketball stars to come through Pueblo West. Simental was a four-year varsity player for Coach Gil Lucero and one of the most consistent scorers in the state of Colorado throughout her prep career, averaging 16.6 points per game. She was a major contributor when Pueblo West advanced to the Final Four in the 2016-17 season and led the Cyclones in scoring in 2017-18 and 2019-20 where she helped lead the team to two Great 8 appearances. Simental was named Colorado’s 4a player of the year following her 2020 campaign–her brother also earning the same award for Pueblo West boy’s basketball in 2016.
Her success at the high school level opened the door to a Division 1 basketball scholarship at the University of Northern Colorado. Simental spent four seasons at UNC where she cemented herself as one of the nation's premiere sharpshooters from 3-point range, ranking no. 2 all-time at UNC in career three-pointers made and earning Second Team All-Big Sky honors in 2024.. Then, she transferred to Colorado State University for the 2024-25 season, where she continued to compete at a high level in the Mountain West Conference, earning Academic All-Mountain West honors and finishing her collegiate career with over 1,700 points.
Simental’s impressive collegiate resume opened a path to continue her basketball journey professionally.
In 2025, she began her professional career with the ENAD Women’s Team in Cyprus. Just one year later, she packed up her bags and headed to Germany to join TKH Luchse in Germany’s Women’s Basketball Federal League–which is the top-tier professional women’s basketball league in Germany.
The travels for Simental continued in 2026, where she competed with the South West Metro Pirates in Australia, adding yet another chapter to an already remarkable journey.
For Simental, reaching this stage was never solely about talent. It was built on years of discipline, preparation, and a competitive mindset that began at home.
As the youngest sibling in a family with athletes, Simental grew up surrounded by competition.
“Growing up, my siblings were always in the gym, so naturally I was there too, whether I wanted to be or not,” Simental said. “Watching them play and seeing how hard they worked eventually made me fall in love with basketball as well.”
However, basketball was not her first passion.
“I actually started out in dance, so I came to the game a little later than my brother and sister,” Simental said. “When I got to high school, I began taking basketball seriously.”
The foundation built at home helped prepare her not just for Division 1 basketball, but for the realities of living and competing overseas.
And while basketball itself has been rewarding, some of Simental’s biggest growth has happened away from the court.
“First, I’d say the challenge of learning how to navigate everyday life in unfamiliar environments,” said Simental, when asked about adjusting to the lifestyle of playing overseas. “It can definitely be stressful living in another country where people speak a different language, but it’s also incredibly eye-opening and has helped me grow in so many ways.”
The experience of fully immersing herself in a different part of the world is something she cherishes deeply.
“Cyprus was absolutely beautiful, even though it’s such a small island, the culture is completely different from what I was used to in the United States,” Simental said.
Beyond Borders-Beyond Basketball
While Simental continues her pursuit of a professional career, basketball’s impact on her life extends beyond playing.
Her dad, David Simental, is entering his second season as Head Coach of the Pueblo South men’s basketball program–with her older brother also being on the coaching staff.
“With my dad and brother coaching at South High School, I’ve gotten to watch how much fun they are having developing players,” she said.
Although still being on the court is still at the forefront of her mind, Simental believes coaching could become an important part of her future to stay involved in the game.
“I could see myself coaching early in my career because I’d love the opportunity to give back to the game.”
Regardless of where the game takes her next, basketball will always be a part of her identity. From Colorado gyms to professional arenas across the world, Hannah Simental’s journey has molded into a story about much more than statistics or wins. It has become a story of growth and embracing the unknown.
For the former Cyclone, basketball has done more than open doors–it has taken her beyond borders.
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