Ben Simmons Rookie of the Year: NBA star was junior AFL standout

HE MADE history by becoming the first Aussie to win the NBA Rookie of the Year Award. But Ben Simmons was also a junior Aussie rules star who stood out alongside Melbourne’s Christian Petracca.

HE MADE history by becoming the first Aussie to win the NBA Rookie of the Year Award. But Ben Simmons was also a junior Aussie rules star who stood out alongside Melbourne’s Christian Petracca in Melbourne’s northeast.

Friends and mentors of the Melbourne basketball star say he will stay grounded despite being the first Australian named NBA Rookie of the Year.

BEN SIMMONS WINS NBA ROOKIE OF THE YEAR

KNOX MENTOR’S PROUD OF NBA RISING STAR

SIMMONS’ JERSEY IN TOP 10 SALES

Christian Petracca, Ben Simmons and Nathan Buckley at a Victorian School Sports event. Picture: Supplied

The Box Hill basketball export has made history by being named best first year player in the biggest and best league in the world.

It was another step towards superstardom for the Victorian-born guard, who played junior basketball and Aussie rules in Melbourne before moving to the US to follow his dream.

The Philadelphia 76ers star kept his acceptance speech short but was quick to thank those that mattered most.

“Family, friends — I wouldn’t be here without them,’’ he said.

Box Hill Senior Secondary principal Steve Cook said that attitude would keep him on the right track.

“He’s a fine young man, despite the success he’s just a good kid,’’ he said.

“There are lots and lots of kids wanting to be the next Ben but he might be a once in a lifetime.”

His under 14s footy coach Joe Mezgec said Simmons could have been an AFL star.

The “down to earth and respectful” teen played two years on a wing, winning a best and fairest award, making a representative squad and playing a grand final.

Ben Simmons with the NBA Rookie of the Year award. Picture: Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP

Ben Simmons playing for Beverley Hills Football Club as a 13-year-old. Picture: Supplied

MORE: BEN SIMMONS COULD HAVE BEEN AFL STAR

“Basketball was his great love but he loved footy as well,” he said.

“He was 190cm at age 13 but could run like a gazelle, was very athletic and what he could do with the ball was incredible.”

South East Eagles vice president Nathan Sewell said Simmons stood out as a 14 year-old who could slam dunk in the Knox Basketball Association in 2012. But he would stay true to his roots. “To Ben family is ultra-important,” he said.

Simmons will earn $8.4 million next season in a four-year deal worth about $35 million, and experts predict he will soon become Australia’s richest athlete.

His Rookie of the Year win caps a year in the NBA which drew comparisons with LeBron James and Magic Johnson.

Buy Ben Simmons Rookie of the Year memorabilia online now >> CLICK HERE