Simone Jelks
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Simone Jelks | |
|---|---|
| Born | March 9, 1986 Cleveland, Ohio, U.S. |
| Education | University of Southern California Case Western Reserve University (M.P.H.) Cleveland State University (M.ED) |
| Occupation | NBA referee |
Simone Marie Jelks[1] (born March 9, 1986) is an American professional basketball referee in the National Basketball Association (NBA), wearing number 81. Jelks became the seventh woman to be a full-time NBA referee.[2] As of the 2020–21 NBA season Jelks has officiated 49 regular-season games, including 16 regular-season games as a non-staff official during the 2019–20 NBA season. She is in her second season as an NBA referee.[3]
Jelks was born on March 9, 1986, in Cleveland, Ohio. In 2004, she graduated from Charles F. Brush High School in Lyndhurst, Ohio.[1] While attending Charles F. Brush High School Jelks became the school's career leader in points, steals, rebounds and free throws. In 2015, she was inducted into the school's Athletic Hall of Fame.[3]
College basketball career and education
Jelks played college basketball for the USC Trojans women's basketball team from 2004 to 2008.[1] She was named to the Pac-12 All-Defensive Team for the 2007–08 season. Jelks graduated from the University of Southern California in 2008. She also earned a master's degree in Public Health from Case Western Reserve University (2011) and a master's degree in Urban Secondary Teaching from Cleveland State University (2013).[3]
