Australia’s biggest basketball star Ben Simmons lands in home town Melbourne

ADORING fans flocked streets around Hosier Lane to see Aussie NBA superstar Ben Simmons as a mural dedicated to the Philadelphia point guard was unveiled. And he was visibly impressed.

AUSTRALIAN NBA superstar Ben Simmons was on hand as a mural dedicated to the Philadelphia point guard was unveiled outside Culture Kings in Hosier Lane on Friday night.

Arriving with Melbourne Football Club players Christian Petracca and Jay Kennedy-Harris, Simmons was visibly impressed by the work of street artist Jimmy when the curtain revealed the building-high portrait.

“Wow, that’s insane, that’s awesome. That’s love,” Simmons said.

HOW TO GET AUS V USA TICKETS

UNITED CAN CHALLENGE SIMMONS’ 76ers

SIMMONS RACES HOME TO BE WITH NIECE

A mural featuring Ben Simmons is unveiled in Hosier Lane — and the NBA superstar was impressed. Picture: Mark Stewart

Ben Simmons meets fans in Hosier Lane, Melbourne. Picture: Mark Stewart

Ben Simmons looks on as a mural featuring his likeness is unveiled in Hosier Lane. Picture: Mark Stewart

The 22-year-old was more than happy to pose for photos with adoring fans that had flocked the streets around Hosier Lane.

One of the fans, Mark Bernard, brought his own artwork — two portraits he had painted on canvas of Ben and his dad, Dave.

“I am a massive Ben Simmons fan. It all started because of Dave Simmons at the Melbourne Tigers and Ben continues the tradition with my art pieces so I thought I would see if I could drop them off to him,” Bernard said.

“I can’t make it to his clinic because I don’t have a kid so thought I would try and drop them off tonight.”

Ben Simmons meets fans in Hosier Lane. Picture: Mark Stewart

Ben Simmons meets fans in Hosier Lane. Picture: Mark Stewart

The artist, Jimmy, 37, said he was amazed with how his art had turned out given he normally paints flora and fauna murals.

“It’s a really good story you know, it’s got that local tie-in with him growing up here and doing so well over there, I think it’s really nice,” Jimmy said.

“I just want to see his reaction really.”

Ben Simmons is Australia’s greatest basketball export. Picture: Maddie Meyer/Getty Images/AFP

Earlier this week, Culture Kings chief executive Simon Beard said the point guard had been shopping at the store since before he was an NBA star.

“So not only is he a professional athlete many of our customers look up to, he's also a part of our valued CK fans.” Mr Beard said.

Mural being painted in Hosier Lane of Ben Simmons. Photo: Craig Hughes

The star player landed in Sydney ahead of the appearance, a day after he was spotted sunning himself on a yacht in Mexico.

He was also snapped with his new girlfriend and model Kendall Jenner.

MORE HERALD SUN STORIES

$100M POWERBALL FORTUNE BIGGEST IN HISTORY

HOW ONLINE DATING AT 42 WAS THE SHOCK OF A LIFETIME

LUCKIEST NUMBERS FOR POWERBALL’S $100M JACKPOT