Ben Simmons makes all the right moves at Nike Basketball Academy

HE’S only a teenager, but this Aussie young gun with “ridiculous” talent has just proved he can mix it with the NBA’s best.

THE Nike Basketball Academy is a chance for some of the future stars of the game to learn from the best talent currently strutting their stuff in the NBA.

But this Aussie teen must not have got the memo, because he took it as an opportunity to teach some NBA big-names a thing or two of his own.

Ben Simmons, part of the Louisiana State University (LSU) team for the 2015-2016 season, was at the camp and guarded high-profile players James Harden and Anthony Davis, more than holding his own in the process.

The 18-year-old impressed onlookers and some of the game’s most respected analysts with his performances, drawing praise for his efforts over the three days.

Watched LSU's Ben Simmons for 3 straight days at the Nike Basketball Academy. He's ridiculous. Simmons has versatile talent rarely seen.

— Jay Bilas (@JayBilas) June 30, 2015

Ben Simmons just makes the right play over & over & over. Unbelievable IQ and passing like a PG #NikeBasketballAcademy

— Aj Diggs (@Jigga2cal) June 30, 2015

Ben Simmons is far and away the best passer out here. Distributed from anywhere on the floor with either hand.

— Mike Schmitz (@Mike_Schmitz) June 30, 2015

Along with Harden and Davis, other notable attendees at the camp included Kevin Durant and The King himself, LeBron James, along with several NBA coaches.

Simmons moved to the US in 2013 to attend high school in Florida at Montverde Academy, where his performances earned him rave reviews.

His recent move to well-known basketball nursery LSU is a positive step forward in what promises to be a successful career ahead.

The 208-centimetre giant is originally from Melbourne, where he attended school at Box Hill Senior Secondary College.

He boasts an impressive resume for someone so young, having already represented Australia when he debuted for the Boomers during the 2013 FIBA Oceania Championships.

Simmons was doing his best to keep James Harden quiet.

Speaking at LSU’s media day, the man being touted as the NBA’s top draft pick next June said he wasn’t worried about the pressure being placed on him to deliver silverware to the college’s trophy cabinet.

“I’m fine with that,” said Simmons.

“I have one goal on the court, and that’s to win. If I’m focused on that, everything else will take care of itself. I try to not let anything like that get to me.”

One of Simmons’ biggest assets is his versatility, with sublime passing and ball-handling skills allowing him to play any position on the court.

Originally published as Ben Simmons makes all the right moves at Nike Basketball Academy