Hills Basketball Stadium to host Ben Simmons’ first-ever Sydney basketball camp

Following his hugely popular Melbourne camp last year, Aussie NBA superstar Ben Simmons is bringing his coaching clinic to Sydney in August.

Philadelphia’s Ben Simmons drives to the basket against Toronto’s Kyle Lowry during game three of the 2019 NBA Eastern Conference Finals. Simmons is hosting his first ever Sydney basketball camp at Hills Basketball Stadium in August. Picture: Mitchell Leff/Getty Images

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A select group of basketball hopefuls will be given the chance to be coached by one of the world’s best, when Philadelphia ‘76ers hot shot point guard Ben Simmons returns to Australia.

When the Simmons’ family were scouting locations for the Aussie NBA superstar’s first ever Sydney basketball camp, there was only one venue suitable enough to host such a prestigious event.

After a hugely successful camp in Melbourne last year, the All-Star is bringing his team of elite coaches to Hills Basketball Stadium on Sunday, August 11 for what will surely be an unforgettable experience.

“Without wanting to toot our own horn too much, we have clearly the best stadium in Sydney,” Hills Basketball Association chief executive Steve Burke said.

Simmons’ Melbourne camp in 2018 was hugely popular. Picture: Wayne Taylor

“This is the place to come for these sorts of events.

“It’s a really prestigious thing for us to be able to host the Ben Simmons camp here and we’re really stoked to have them.”

Hills Basketball Stadium recently underwent a massive $3.2 million refurbishment, which added three new courts and a 450-seat grandstand.

Burke said that Hills were approached about the possibility of hosting a clinic following the popularity of Simmons’ hometown camp last year.

Hills Basketball Association chief executive Steve Burke said Hills Basketball Stadium was the perfect venue to host the camp.

“Following the Melbourne camp last year, the Simmons family straight away wanted to expand up to Sydney,” Burke said.

“They asked former NBL star Steve Whitehead for recommendations on where would be the best place to go and he immediately said the only place to go is Hills.

“The Simmons family were actually aware of the old stadium as Ben has played here previously but they hadn’t seen it since the refurbishment was completed last year. They came out for a site visit and were really impressed and away we went.”

Participants in the camp will receive hands-on coaching from Simmons and a team of coaches led by his father, former NBL championship player David.

Simmons came within a game of leading the Philadelphia ‘76ers to the NBA Finals this year. Picture: Vaughn Ridley/ Getty Images.

Also included in the $209 ticket cost is a group photo and Q&A session with Simmons as well as a host of Philadelphia 76ers merchandise.

Although tickets for this year’s highly-anticipated event sold out almost immediately, Burke said he’s confident that Hills will be hosting plenty more Simmons camps in future.

“There were only about 180 tickets for each of the sessions, so it’s in-line with expectations that it sold out,” Burke said.

“Assuming we do a good job of hosting, which we will, the only reason I could see them moving any future events in Sydney would be if they decide they need to move it around to be fair (to other associations).”

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