Ben Simmons’ selection as No.1 pick continues golden run for Australian basketball

WHEN Ben Simmons’ name was read out first in Friday’s NBA Draft it was a huge moment for him and Philadelphia. But Nick Smart says it was also massive for Australian basketball.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, left, congratulates Ben Simmons after he was selected as the top pick in Friday’s NBA Draft. Picture: AP

FOR Ben Simmons, it is big.

For Australian basketball, it is even bigger.

The Australian teenager realised a dream on Friday morning when he was taken with pick No.1 in the NBA Draft.

The hype surrounding him has been huge for a long time and rightly so.

His potential is unrivalled with many experts comparing his skillset to that of superstar LeBron James.

How’s that for a comparison?

Ben Simmons celebrates after being drafted first overall by the Philadelphia 76ers. Picture: Getty Images

It is not a stretch to suggest Simmons will become the best Australian basketball player in history.

He is not the first Australian to go at No.1; that honour goes to Andrew Bogut in 2005.

Although, with all due respect to Bogut, the difference is Simmons looms as a once-in-a-generation player.

He has all the tools; now it’s up to him to prove he is the real deal and deliver on his promise.

The 19-year-old is the latest success story for Australian basketball, which has been booming for quite some time now.

Australia’s day only got better when Thon Maker was taken soon after — with pick 10 — by the Milwaukee Bucks.

With Simmons, Melbourne has now produced more No.1 NBA Draft picks than any other city in the world in last 35 years.

We’ve never had more Australians in the NBA and four of them have won championship rings the past few years.

Ben Simmons is interviewed after going No.1. Picture: Getty Images

First it was Patty Mills and Aron Baynes with San Antonio Spurs in 2014.

Last season it was Bogut’s turn with the Golden State Warriors.

And, just last week, guard Matthew Dellavedova won his first NBA title with Cleveland.

Now Simmons enters the fray.

Australia will be watching closely and it has been for a long time already.

The popularity of the NBA here is massive and the stats back that up.

Outside the US, Australia has the highest amount of subscribers in the world to the NBA’s International League Pass online television service.

Simmons will help ensure that trend continues for years to come.

Simmons gets a hug from father Dave — who played in Australia with the Melbourne Tigers and was coached by Brett Brown, the man who will now coach his son in his first season at the 76ers. Picture: Getty Images