Getty Image / Michael Reaves
Over the last couple of NBA seasons, it has become a rare occurrence to actually see Ben Simmons on a basketball court.
He missed the entire 2021-22 season, splitting the missed time between the Philadelphia 76ers and Brooklyn Nets.
This season, he was finally able to make his debut for the Nets, but his presence was once again not the most common occurrence.
Simmons played just 42 games during the regular season and missed all of the team’s short playoff run that saw them get swept by the Philadelphia 76ers.
Despite his inability to remain regularly available regardless of where he has been playing the last 2 season, it appears he may be planning to spend the summer competing outside of the NBA.
According to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, Simmons wants to play for team Australia at the FIBA World Cup this summer.
Windhorst’s report echoes comments made by Australia’s coach, Brian Goorjian, on SEN Radio in Sydney today.
“I think his mindset is getting healthy, getting in shape and getting ready to play in this [World Cup],” Goorjian said. “There were unfortunate circumstances [why he didn’t play at the Olympics], but I feel like he is going to make himself available.”
Ben Simmons’ national career has resembled his NBA career. He has repeatedly stated that he planned to play for Australia in the major competitions, but it hasn’t actually happened.
He withdrew from the team before the 2016 Olympics because he wanted to prepare for his rookie season in the NBA. Before the 2019 World Cup, it was “professional obligations” that led to his withdrawal.
Most recently, he withdrew from the squad for the 2020 Olympics because he wanted to work on improving his shooting for the upcoming NBA season. His shooting didn’t improve.
Maybe this will be the summer he changes his pattern and finally represents Australia at a major tournament.
Nets fans would tell Australian fans that they probably shouldn’t get their hopes up.