Ben Simmons travels to Yarra Valley in style, pays tribute to Melbourne in hometown visit

Ben Simmons may have recently signed a $242 million NBA contract, but Melbourne’s still home for the homegrown basketball superstar, who’s been out and about on the city’s streets this week. This is where he’s been spotted.

NBA superstar Ben Simmons has shown his love for Melbourne in a series of candid hometown snaps.

“It’s good to be home,” Simmons said, in an Instagram picture, crossing the Yarra River towards Flinders St Station.

He also caught up with tennis champion Dylan Alcott at a hipster eatery in Collingwood, and did a rooftop shoot with photographer Alex Subers in the city.

Simmons, Subers and basketballer Tahj Malone, choppered out to Healesville Sanctuary yesterday to get up close and personal with dingoes, koalas and kangaroos, then on to Seville Estate for a wine tasting.

Simmons’ hometown visit, to host a junior training camp, came after he signed a new five-year, $242 million contract with the Philadelphia 76ers.

But it also followed his decision to withdraw from Australia’s exhibition matches against the US and Canada in the 2019 World Cup.

“After talking with coach Andrej (Lemanis), we both agreed it was better for me to not participate in this year’s 2019 World Cup and exhibition games,” Simmons said.

“I want to thank Basketball Australia for their continued support and I’m committed and excited to compete in the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.”

Patty Mills said the team understood the decision for Simmons not to play.

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“We, as his teammates, respect his decision and we understand his situation has changed,” Mills said.

Simmons, who grew up in Box Hill, is also executive producer for the Adam Goodes documentary, The Australian Dream, which premieres in Melbourne tomorrow.