Aussie Ben Simmons responds to incredible praise from LeBron James

AUSSIE basketball phenomenon Ben Simmons revealed how NBA superstar LeBron James is his go-to guy.

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AUSSIE Ben Simmons hangs out in the right kind of circles.

NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal has already been revealed as a close friend and mentor.

Now the 19-year-old has likened basketball’s biggest name LeBron James to a bigger brother.

Just seven games into his college career with Louisiana State University, Simmons has lived up to the extraordinary expectations with an average of 19.9 points per game, 14.9 rebounds and six assists.

It’s why James, a four-time NBA MVP, is happy for Melbourne-born Simmons to be anointed “The Next LeBron”.

James has revealed he has an incredibly high regard for the LSU rising star and has been keeping an eye on the 2.08m forward since he was in high school.

“Someone’s going to be compared to someone all the time, and I don’t mind him being compared to me,” James said.

“People not only recognising what he does on the floor, but he’s a great kid, too. He has a great family, great support system, and that’s why he’s able to do what he [does] on the floor.

Ben Simmons is balling with the best.

“I’ve watched him a lot, but I’ve watched him way before he showed up at Baton Rouge [LSU].

“I’ve been on him for probably three or four years now, and he’s an unbelievable talent.

“He’s a talented guy. The coach [Johnny Jones] at the university allows him to showcase his talent, and that’s what he’s capable of doing.”

The pair became close friends during this year’s Nike Basketball Academy in Los Angeles during the American summer and speak regularly on the phone.

Simmons also made the short trip from Baton Rouge to New Orleans last week to see LeBron in action during the Cleveland Cavaliers’ 114-108 loss to the Pelicans.

It’s little wonder the pair’s friendship has been a regular focus in American media reports.

“I just get a lot of advice from him,” Simmons told Yahoo Sports.

“He’s like a big brother to me.

“I try to take care of my own stuff. But if I have something I really need help with I definitely talk to him. If I need him, I give him a call.”

Simmons said he’s not too embarrassed to regularly call in for advice.

The kid is good.

“He gives me a lot of advice if I ever need it,” Simmons told ESPN.

“He looks out for me, and he’s one of those people you have to have as a mentor because he’s one of the best players in the world.”

It comes just one week after Shaquille O’Neal also offered high praise of the son of Melbourne Tigers forward Dave Simmons and personally intervened when a social media troll took a shot at the Aussie.

O’Neal also called Simmons “the best player in the world” last month.

Simmons became the first players since Shaq in 1991 to score 43 points in a game for LSU last week during the Tigers’ 119-108 win over North Florida.

It was a performance that reinforced Simmons’ favouritism to be the No. 1 draft pick at the 2016 NBA Draft.

Coach Jones has already conceded there is no chance that Simmons will stick around for more than one season before he nominates for the draft.

“We’re embracing the time we have with him,” Jones told Yahoo.

“He’s like a Shaquille O’Neal. Those guys don’t come around often.”