ESPN’s review of how Ben Simmons’ Aussie Rules background helps him excel in the NBA

ESPN delves into Melbourne-born NBA star Ben Simmons’ Aussie Rules background and how it’s helping him dominate the NBA in his rookie season with the Philadelphia 76ers.

Ben Simmons drives on Daniel Theis.

WITH less than 100 days to Round 1, Aussie Rules fever has struck the US thanks to Ben Simmons’ blistering NBA rookie season.

The Philadelphia 76ers young gun’s ball handling skills - for a man standing 208cm - have astounded critics, teammates and rivals alike.

READ THE FULL ESPN ARTICLE ON BEN SIMMONS HERE

Now, Simmons’s Aussie Rules background has been explored by ESPN’s Kevin Arnovitz after the Box Hill native surprised teammates taking a Sherrin onto the practice court.

Fellow Australian NBA stars Joe Ingles and Andrew Bogut spoke about how Aussie Rules skills transfer to basketball having both grown up playing the sport as well as Dante Exum and Patty Mills.

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Should Philadelphia 76ers send Beverley Hills JFC a Christmas hamper? @espn @BenSimmons25 pic.twitter.com/fpvWqWWjhT

— Sam Landsberger 🗯 (@SamLandsberger) December 12, 2017

“So many things on the court for me to translate,” Utah Jazz star and Hawthorn fans Joe Ingles told ESPN.

“In [Aussie rules football], you’re not afraid of contact. You’re going to drive into a crowd with your eyes up and your face up. You don’t go up for a rebound against other people half-assed because in AFL, you’ll get hurt.”

“The game is physical with a lot of contact,” Melbourne’s Andrew Bogut said.

“You’re constantly wrestling to create space. You’re looking to get short bursts off of contact.”

Ben Simmons rises over Kevin Love.

Simmons himself credits Aussie Rules with helping his physical development and being able to take on bigger, older bodies in his first year.

“You have to read the movement of the defenders. You have to have great vision,” he told ESPN.

“If your man is open, you try to draw a defender, then get rid of the ball. The ball has to move quickly or you’re going to get tackled.”

Arnovitz points to Simmons’s use of the hip and shoulder as proof the Australian game’s physicality has set him up for superstardom.

Simmons appears to be running away with the NBA Rookie of the Year award and has helped spark a resurgence in the NBA’s popularity in Australia and perhaps with continued coverage of Simmons’ history in Aussie Rules, more coverage of the sport in the US.