Simmons clan big part of Noi’s rise

The Simmons’ are one of the golden families of Australian basketball and newest Cairns Taipan Kouat Noi could be considered as a de facto member of the dynasty.

DETROIT, MI — MARCH 16: Kouat Noi #12 of the TCU Horned Frogs high fives teammates during the first half against the Syracuse Orange in the first round of the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Little Caesars Arena on March 16, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

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The Simmons’ are one of the golden families of Australian basketball and newest Cairns Taipan Kouat Noi could be considered as a de facto member of the dynasty.

Or, maybe an adopted cousin.

At a minimum, Noi is a close family friend that will turn to the Simmons’, Dave and Ben, for hoops and life advice regularly.

The connection between the 21-year-old now Cairns forward and NBL legend Dave Simmons is so significant he travelled to the Far North earlier this week to be on hand as he officially signed his first pro deal.

Dave’s son Ben, well, he could not make it this time.

He was a bit busy as his NBA team the Philadelphia 76ers just offered him a historic new $US168 million ($A240.4 million) contract.

The Simmons’ and Noi’s family have been intertwined for much of their time in Australia, after fleeing Sudan when he was still a child.

Newcastle was where the newest Snake would first meet future NBA All Star Ben, where they would play in junior teams together, as their fathers became mates, with Dave quickly turning into a mentor of Noi.

OLD MATES: Kouat Noi with NBA superstar Ben Simmons at Montverde Academy in Florida.

“Dave Simmons and my father have been close friends since we were little kids,” Noi said on Thursday morning in his first appearance as a Snake.

“My father pushed me a lot.

“Through every stage of my life, through high school and college, Dave has always been there for me and guided me to being a grown man.

“He showed me how to act and be a professional really at a young age.

“When he watches some of my games, he tells me what I need to improve on, especially after the game.”

Second year Taipans coach Mike Kelly, who played against Dave in their younger days, believes it is special to see the next generation of basketballers making their own name while following in the footsteps of their old man.

STRONG BOND: NBL legend Dave Simmons, Taipan Kouat Noi and his father Ater Dhiu.

“We had some great battles,” Kelly said of his playing career against Dave.

“It is fun the connections to the past that come up, I was speaking to my son about it recently.

“I did not speak about Kouat before with Dave but we were focused on speaking to him and his agent.

“Australia is producing some phenomenal players at the minute and Kouat is right up there in that group, he has played against some very good players and that will help him in the year coming.”

Noi is aiming to follow his childhood friend Ben into the big time of the NBA after they spent one year of high school together at Montverde Academy in Florida.

“We have been together since we were younger kids, playing in rep and local team stuff,” Noi said.

DETROIT, MI — MARCH 16: Kouat Noi #12 of the TCU Horned Frogs reacts against the Syracuse Orange in the first round of the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Little Caesars Arena on March 16, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

“We still have a relationship and talk from time to time.

“He is a role model and I want to be like him one day.

“He has always been positive and encouraging me to get better.”

Simmons’ teammates at the 76ers were even impressed by the new Cairns Taipan after seeing the forward in recent work outs.

“I’ve got to be honest, he surprised me this summer,” fellow Australian Jonah Bolden said. “He’s a three and defence guy in the NBA.

“Has a chance to be really tough. Big signing for the league back home.”

Noi joins Majok Deng, Mirko Djeric, Fabijan Krslovic, Tom Jervis and Jarrod Kenny on the Taipans 2019-20 roster.

Coach Kelly will soon depart to the USA to attend the NBA Summer League where he will look to sign the club’s three Americans.

Originally published as Simmons clan big part of Noi’s rise