Ben Simmons not playing for Boomers at World Cup but will play in USA exhibitions

Ben Simmons has left the Boomers with a massive hole to fill just six weeks out from the start of the World Cup after he pulled a stunning backflip on his availability for the tournament.

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Ben Simmons has ruled out playing for the Boomers at the World Cup but says he will return to Australia to be involved in the pre-tournament exhibition games in Perth and Melbourne.

On the day the Philadelphia 76ers confirmed Simmons had signed the richest deal ever by an Australian athlete - a five-year contract extension worth $242m - the 22-year-old confirmed on social media that he would forego the World Cup in China to instead work on his game before the next NBA season.

Simmons did, however, commit to next month’s exhibition games against the US and Canada in Australia and also the Boomers’ 2020 Olympics campaign in Tokyo.

Ben Simmons won’t be suiting up for the Boomers in China.

His decision not to play follows NBA superstar Anthony Davis’ decision to pull out of Team USA’s campaign earlier this week.

Simmons and Davis are both managed by Klutch Sports agent Rich Paul, who also advises LeBron James.

“I wanted to let everyone know that after consulting with my representation, I’ve made the difficult decision to forego playing in the World Cup in China this summer,” the statement from Simmons read.

”... I’m really excited about the talent we have on the Boomers squad, especially moving closer to 2020 where I will be honoured and humbled to represent my country on the world’s biggest sporting stage at the Olympics in Tokyo.

“Ultimately, we decided it was best that I use the time in September to return to Philadelphia to acquaint myself with my new teammates and prepare for the upcoming NBA season.”

The Boomers are still poised to take their strongest-ever squad to a major event, as they bid for a maiden international medal at the World Cup in China, with eight current and former NBA players including Andrew Bogut, Joe Ingles, Patty Mills, Aron Baynes and Matthew Dellavedova.

Philadelphia are going all-in for the NBA title next season with the extension for Simmons and deals for All-Star big men Joel Embiid and Al Horford and forward Tobias Harris totalling a combined $827m.

While 76ers general manager Elton Brand labelled Simmons “one of the NBA’s most dynamic and talented young players”, his unwillingness to shoot the ball from outside the key is the glaring weakness in his game and has been exploited by rival NBA teams.

Ben Simmons has been working out with teammate Tobias Harris this off-season.

Harris, who agreed to return to the 76ers on a five-year, $257m deal, said he recently worked out with Simmons in Los Angeles and confirmed the Australian was working on shooting from distance and “his jump shot is looking good”.

Harris said Simmons made two consecutive three-pointers over him. Simmons is yet to make a three-pointer in an NBA game and 90 per cent of his shot attempts come less than three metres from the basket, an incredible statistic for an NBA guard-forward.

“It was a priority for our organisation that we finalise a contract extension with Ben this summer,” Brand said.

“He was Rookie of the Year in his first season, an All-Star in his second and we expect him to grow and succeed for seasons to come.

“Ben positively impacts the game in so many ways and we look forward to continuing our championship pursuits with him as one of our leaders.”

Originally published as Ben Simmons not playing for Boomers at World Cup but will play in USA exhibitions