Meet Ben Simmons, tipped to be the next local star in US basketball

REMEMBER the name Ben Simmons. He is the Melbourne teenager set to become the next big thing in basketball, putting Victorian talent on the global stage again.

Ben Simmons at his old school, Box Hill Secondary College is home in Melbourne for a break from the US, is being touted as the next big thing in US basketball and could be our best ever player. Picture: Andy Brownbill

REMEMBER the name Ben Simmons. He is the Melbourne teenager set to become the next big thing in basketball, putting Victorian talent on the global stage yet again.

The sporting spotlight last week shone brightly on Seabrook sensation Dante Exum, 18, when he was selected by the Utah Jazz in the NBA Draft.

But while Exum is this week’s big news, Simmons could be even bigger.

Hailed “the wonder from Down Under’” by US scouts, Simmons, 17, was this month voted most valuable player at a US camp featuring the top 100 players of his age group expected to play NBA.

Simmons, a good mate of Exum, is already in the Australian Boomers squad and earmarked to be one of the nation’s greatest talents.

Dante Exum has beenselected by the Utah Jazz in the NBA Draft. Picture: Jason Edwards

Luc Longley — who played alongside the great Michael Jordan — said he was a “fantastic talent’’.

“I’m a big fan. He just looks like a man among boys,’’ Longley said. “If he stays healthy and stays focused I think he will be every bit as good as Dante Exum.’’

Simmons and Exum have plenty in common. Both are the sons of US imports who came to Australia in the glory days of the NBL in the 1990s.

Exum’s dad, Cecil, played for North Melbourne Giants, Geelong Supercats and Melbourne Tigers, while Dave Simmons is a Tigers great.

Ben Simmons with his father Dave. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Dante and Ben played together at Keilor Thunder as juniors and spent time at the Australian Institute of Sport dreaming of playing for Australia and in the NBA.

Kevin Goorjian, who coached Simmons at Box Hill Secondary College, said he realised how big his star pupil might become when a US scout showed up at an inter-school carnival to watch him in year 9.

“He’s a super talent,” he said.

“I just know that Ben is going to be special.’’

Simmons, who has signed to play for Louisiana State University, where the likes of hoops great Shaquille O’Neal have gone before, seems destined for the NBA.

“Hopefully, one step at a time, but that’s definitely a goal of mine,’’ he said.

Simmons is expected to help usher in a new golden era of Australian basketball, helped by Exum and homegrown talent competing around the world.

Proud dad Dave Simmons said his son was his own man who he hoped would soon make a name for himself.

“It’s been a fantastic journey for him,’’ he said.

AUSTRALIA’S POSSIBLE LINE UP AT RIO:

Starting five:

Patty Mills

Dante Exum

Andrew Bogut

Ben Simmons

Joe Ingles

Bench:

Aron Baynes

Matthew Dellavadova

Thon Maker

Cameron Bairstow

Brad Newley