Philadelphia 76ers’ superstar Ben Simmons gave up bat-ball, rugby and footy to discover his calling – basketball; set to become Australia’s biggest sportstar in terms of numbers, earnings
‘6’10? I don’t think I have ever seen a 6’10 cricketer’ says Philadelphia 76ers’ superstar and Australian Ben Simmons. He is touted by the pundits to become Australia’s biggest sportstar in numbers and earnings.
Simmons has been in Charlotte since Saturday to prepare and become the first Aussie to play in NBA All-Star on Sunday night. Before that he warmed up while playing in the Rising All Stars Challenge game on Saturday.
Simmons, 22, has been key guard and forward for 76ers ever since he made his debut in 2017.
Before turning to basketball, the youngster had tried his luck in Australian Rules Football in his growing up years in Australia.
Asked being an Aussie if he ever played cricket, Simmons replied in positive. “Yes, in the backyard,” he said during his first ever media availability session on Friday morning.
Backyard cricket in Australia is quite famous and is played at the home’s backyard. It is the first step towards the game before the cricketer goes on to achieve the highs.
While Simmons may have limited himself in the backyard as far as cricket is concerned, he had been a serious Australian Rules Football (footy) player in his school days along side playing basketball.
However, it was at the age of 15 that he gave up football completely, thanks to his coach’s decision of not playing him in his desired position of ‘forward’.
Then, it was basketball full time. Having been a part of Australia’s men’s basketball team, Simmons won gold turning out for his nation in the FIBA Oceania Championship 2013 after silver in FIBA World U-17 Championship in 2012.
In 2013, Simmons shifted the United States of America for greener pastures. And in 2016, he got his first NBA draft, however, it was only in 2017 he made his NBA debut. So impressive was he in his debut season that he was named the NBA ‘Rookie of the Year’.
Simmons had a dream to play in the NBA All Star along side the cream of basketball and his dreams has been realised as he will be rubbing shoulders with the likes of Lebron James and Kevin Durants.
“I just want to come in and learn as much as I can. Being on team LeBron with so many different, talented guys. For me, trying to pick up some things and learn from them,” he said, before adding, “It’s exciting. I love playing at a high level and competing against the best players so I am looking forward to the game.”
Simmons is on road to becoming one of the big names in the advertising world. And he is learning about the business of the NBA and the world of endorsements. “It is very important. I try to carry myself the right way and make the right decisions. Not everybody is perfect, but it’s a learning process.
Considering he has been one of the sought after celebs by the brands, is it fun to pick brands that he wants to endorse?
“Definitely. I don’t think I would ever represent or go into business with someone or some brand that I didn’t feel comfortable with or find myself using,” he said.
Know Simmons
- Full Name: Benajamin David Simmons
- Born on July 20, 1996
- Is an Australian/American
- Plays as Point Guard/Forward in Philadelphia 76ers
- Along with basketball, Ben also played Australian football and Rugby at various levels
- Helped Australia win silver in 2012 FIBA Under-17 World Championship
- In 2013, Simmons moved to the US
- He was drafted with the first pick by the Philadelphia 76ers in the 2016 NBA draft. However, he missed the entire 2016-17 season due to injury
- In 2017, Simmons made his NBA debut against the Washington Wizards
- Simmons was awarded NBA Rookie of the Year for the 2017-18 season
- Will make his NBA All-Star debut on Sunday night
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 "Ben Simmons")
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