More backcourt help is on the way for Seton Hall basketball.

Ten days after landing point guard Budd Clark from Merrimack, the Pirates have added another guard transfer in Tajuan “T.J.” Simpkins.

Here are three things to know about the 6-foot-5 sophomore from Elon.

1. He was productive at Elon

TJ Simpkins, not to be confused with twin brother and teammate TK Simpkins – who earlier this week announced his transfer from Elon to Oregon – averaged 14.6 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.5 steals per game this past season. He shot 40.8 percent from the field, 26.3 percent from 3-point range and 81.1 percent from the free-throw line.

His two performances against high-major competition as a sophomore were impressive:

Against North Carolina: 18 points on 6-of-12 field goals (and 5-of-5 FTs), 5 rebounds and 3 assists in 22 minutes.

Against Notre Dame: 16 points on 5-of-9 field goals (and 6-of-7 FTs), 2 rebounds, 3 steals and 3 assists in 24 minutes against Notre Dame.

This was his Simpkins’ first season at the Division I level; he played junior college ball as a freshman.

Elon finished 17-16 overall and 8-10 in the CAA, a solid major-major league.

2. He’s a Brooklyn-type guard

The Pirates’ staff believes Simpkins has a high ceiling defensively and as a bulldog who can get to the rim – “a better version of Femi” is the internal comparison, referring to former Pirate guard Femi Odukale, who just finished up a nomadic career at Minnesota.

Prior to committing to the Pirates, Simpkins visited LSU along with his brother.

3. Length is the key

With the 5-foot-10 Clark slotted for major minutes at point guard, the Pirates are adding length to the perimeter. Simpkins fits that mold, as does (likely) returning guard Garwey Dual and some other top portal priorities for the Hall, including 6-foot-6 Temple guard Zion Stanford and 6-foot-7 Syracuse wing Chris Bell.

Head coach Shaheen Holloway has a matchup zone that he used to great effect at Saint Peter’s, but was unable to deploy this past season because the players couldn’t grasp it. You might see it often in 2025-26.

Seton Hall’s projected 2025-26 depth chart

Guards (4): Budd Clark, Garwey Dual, TJ Simpkins, Jahseem Felton.

Wings: None.

Bigs (1): Godswill Erheriene.

Jerry Carino has covered the New Jersey sports scene since 1996 and the college basketball beat since 2003. Contact him at jcarino@gannettnj.com.

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Seton Hall basketball adds TJ Simpkins, transfer guard from Elon