Ben Simmons back home: NBA superstar dunks on Melbourne youths

Teenage basketball fans in Footscray thought they were arriving for a regular session of hoop-shooting — until homegrown NBA superstar Ben Simmons walked in and slam dunked on them. WATCH THE VIDEO

Australia’s richest athlete continues to make waves on his trip back home to Melbourne.

NBA superstar Ben Simmons was the man of the moment in Footscray on Wednesday, providing a “tell your grandkids” experience for 20 young basketballers.

He made a surprise appearance at a session for Helping Hoops, a charity basketball program.

Simmons had his young fans buzzing as he showed off the skills that earned him a mammoth five-year, $242 million contract with the Philadelphia 76ers.

— Watch the slam dunk in the video player above

Ben Simmons with Melbourne youth at a Helping Hoops event. Picture: Adam McKay/Helping Hoops

The NBA superstar in action. Picture: Adam McKay/Helping Hoops

Ben Simmons with Melbourne youth at a Helping Hoops event. Picture: Adam McKay/Helping Hoops

The moment Ben Simmons dunked on a Melbourne teenager. Picture: Instagram

The video, which has been doing the rounds on social media, shows the 23-year-old, dribbling the ball up the court before he slams down a dunk in front of about 20 kids.

The adoring players go wild as Simmons playfully taunts his opponent.

Helping Hoops executive director Adam McKay said Simmons’ appearance was kept under wraps right up until he walked through the door.

“It’s rare for Ben to outwardly show that much emotion, so he definitely impacted them in a pretty profound way,” he told the Herald Sun.

“It’s something they’ll be talking about for years and decades to come.

“It was a tell-your-grandkids type of experience.”

A further clip shows the NBA All-Star going one-on-one, with the result much the same.

Simmons taking on some young basketballers. Picture: Adam McKay/Helping Hoops

Simmons giving a talk to the young players. Picture: Adam McKay/Helping Hoops

Ben Simmons shows off his skills. Picture: Adam McKay/Helping Hoops

The young players again lose it, screaming at witnessing the towering Simmons’ incredible athletic ability.

Not only was Simmons’ visit a special treat, it was a major boost for the players to experience first-hand what can be achieved in basketball.

“It was like we were all a bunch of kids in Melbourne who love basketball,” he said.

“Away from the NBA, the big stadiums and playing in front of thousands of people, he’s (Simmons) a guy from Melbourne who’s worked his backside off to get to where is.

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

Simmons, right, with O'Loughlin, Stan Grant and Adam Goodes last night. Picture: Stefan Postles/AAP

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He was seen on the red carpet with Goodes, former Sydney star Michael O’Loughlin and The Australian Dream writer Stan Grant.

Simmons has also been out and about with tennis champion and all-round good guy Dylan Alcott, with the duo catching up at a hipster eatery in Collingwood.

He also did a rooftop shoot with photographer Alex Subers in the city.

While many basketball fans were disappointed by his decision to withdraw from the Boomers’ squad’, Simmons is showing how much he loves his hometown.

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@ollycaffrey