Ben Simmons the centrepiece of Four’N Twenty’s US push

BEN Simmons is setting the NBA alight in his rookie season. Now the Melbourne basketball phenomenon is part of a push to convince Americans to eat Aussie meat pies.

Four’N Twenty advertising provides the perfect backdrop for Ben Simmons.

MELBOURNE basketball phenomenon Ben Simmons is part of a push to convince Americans to eat Aussie meat pies.

Four’N Twenty has netted a deal with NBA team the Philadelphia 76ers and will use Simmons’ star status in the world’s most popular basketball league to try and crack the US market.

Simmons could be greatest of all time: NBL boss

Aussie pies will be sold alongside hotdogs, popcorn and peanuts at US matches for the first time under the deal.

An Australian-themed NBA heritage match headlined by former Box Hill player Simmons will be staged in Philadelphia in January.

Ben Simmons dunks on the Detroit Pistons. Picture: Getty

Aussie pies will be sold alongside hotdogs at Philadelphia matches. Picture: Supplied

And 76ers coach Brett Brown told the Herald Sun he would like to bring the team to Melbourne to play an NBA game as they dialled up ties with Simmons’ homeland.

“I think it’s a no-brainer,’’ he said.

“Personally, I’d be elated to bring the 76ers to Australia.’’

Brown, who spent 17 years in Australia and coached the national team, said Simmons playing in the first NBA match on Australian soil would be a win for Melbourne.

“To be able to deliver Ben to the Australian marketplace from a domestic standpoint and bring him back home would just do great things for the sport in Australia,’’ he said.

“It would further promote the NBA which is yet to visit … and I think when you talk about timing, I don’t think you’re ever going to get better timing than now.

“We should really aggressively be exploring that opportunity.’’

Brett Brown says bringing Simmons and Sixers to Melbourne would give the sport a huge boost. Picture: AFP

Four’N Twenty advertising provides the perfect backdrop for Ben Simmons.

Brown predicted Americans would fall in love with pies with “the market there to penetrate’’.

“It’s such a part of the Australian culture,’’ he said.

“What the hotdog is to America, the meat pie is to Australia.

“It’s just part of the fabric of the nation and I think it’s an interesting and logical relationship and we look forward to helping them.’’

Pies were advertised at 76ers home games for the first time at the weekend and Four’N Twenty chief executive Paul Hitchcock said the three year deal was just a first step.

“Four’N Twenty would love to help fulfil Ben Simmons and other Australian basketball fans dream to have an NBA game in Australia,” he said.

Simmons is hot favourite to be named NBA rookie of the year after bursting on to the scene in his debut season, averaging 18 points, nine rebounds and eight assists.

[e-mail]

@rolfep