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Live: Ben Simmons future decided at NBA Draft

BEN Simmons is a Sixer and Thon Maker survived an 11th-hour drama in an NBA Draft dominated by league-shaking trades.

Jai BednallJai Bednall
@jaibednall
9 min read
June 24, 2016 - 3:38PM
New York belongs to Ben Simmons today.
New York belongs to Ben Simmons today.

Live: 2016 NBA Draft

Welcome to our live coverage of the 2016 NBA Draft. Ben Simmons was selected with the No. 1 pick by the Philadelphia 76ers while fellow Aussie prospect Thon Maker went at No. 10 to the Milwaukee Bucks.

12.30pm

Simmons goes No. 1, Maker laughs off age controversy

Australia’s Thon Maker, selected by the Milwaukee Bucks with the 10th pick of the NBA Draft, has laughed off reports he is not 19-years-old.

The 216cm tall Maker was embroiled in controversy just hours before the draft in New York when reports surfaced some NBA teams had ruled him out because they believed he could be as old as 23. Maker was born in Sudan and fled with his family when he was five-years-old, eventually settling in Perth as refugees where a basketball talent scout spotted him playing soccer.

“If it were true I’d probably be sideways about it, but it’s not true so I’m comfortable,” said Maker, responding to the reports. “I’m not p***ed off or angry or anything.”

Maker’s top 10 selection by the Bucks underlines Australia’s growth as an international basketball power, with Ben Simmons picked No.1 by the Philadelphia 76ers and seven other Australians already in the NBA.

Maker and Simmons both declared they want to play for the Australian national team, although they want to concentrate on their rookie NBA year rather than joining the Boomers in Rio. “Not this year, the veterans will have a nice run so they can handle that,” Maker said.

Adding to the good news for Australia, Maker has an 18-year-old brother, 208cm tall Matur Maker, who was enrolled at the Athlete Institute in Ontario, Canada, with him and is also focused on making it to the NBA. “He’s next,” Maker said. “He’s very special.”

— AP

Ben Simmons answers questions during an interview after being selected as the number one pick overall by the Philadelphia 76ers.
Ben Simmons answers questions during an interview after being selected as the number one pick overall by the Philadelphia 76ers.

1. Philadelphia 76ers — Ben Simmons (PF - LSU)

As expected, the Philadelphia 76ers selected Ben Simmons with the first pick in the draft. “It’s amazing. I’m happy that Sixers chose me,” Simmons said. “I’ve been working so hard to get to this point. It’s a great city and I’m looking forward to getting to Philly.”

2. Los Angeles Lakers — Brandon Ingram (SF - Duke)

The undisputed second best player in the draft, Ingram is heading to the Lakers to help start filling the breach left by retiring legend Kobe Bryant. Ingram said he would bring leadership, scoring and defensive ability to one of the NBA’s most storied franchises.

3. Boston Celtics (via Brooklyn Nets) — Jaylen Brown (SF - California)

The Celtics had the ability to shape the draft with this pick and have opted for the athletic slasher from California. “I really like this for the Boston Celtics,” former NBA player Jalen Rose said.

4. Phoenix Suns — Dragan Bender (PF - Croatia)

The 18-year-old international prospect spent the past season with Maccabi Tel Aviv in Israel. The seven-footer is the youngest player in the draft and can shoot and protect the rim. “

5. Minnesota Timberwolves — Kris Dunn (PG - Providence)

Despite having Ricky Rubio, the Timberwolves and new coach Tom Thibodeau selected Dunn — after reportedly being unable to come to an agreement with Chicago to use this pick in a trade for Jimmy Butler.

6. New Orleans Pelicans — Buddy Hield (SG - Oklahoma)

The sharpshooter went on a scoring tear in his senior season at Oklahoma and will add a second punch to the Pelicans’ offence alongside star Anthony Davis. He averaged 25 points per game while shooting 46 per cent from the three-point line last season.

7. Denver Nuggets — Jamal Murray (PG - Kentucky)

The first player selected from NBA nursery Kentucky in this draft — and the first Wildcat to ever be picked by the Nuggets — Murray is a super skilled combo guard who thrives with the ball in his hand.

8. Sacramento Kings — Marquese Chriss (PF - Washington)

The Kings selected the “freak athlete” power forward but he’s going to start his career in Arizona. Chriss — who revealed his agent told him he was being sent to Phoenix — is expected to land with the Suns in a trade that is still being worked out.

9. Toronto Raptors (via New York Knicks) — Jakob Poeltl (C - Utah)

The seven-foot big man has huge potential as a defender and a nice mid-range game. The native of Austria, who spent time playing American college basketball, will now head to Canada.

10. Milwaukee Bucks — Thon Maker (PF - Australia)

An 11th-hour draft day controversy surrounding Maker’s age did not put off the Bucks. Milwaukee — already with Giannis Antetokounmpo in the lineup — projects as one of the most athletic teams in the league if Maker lives up to his potential.

11. Orlando Magic — Domantas Sabonis (PF - Gonzaga)

The son of former NBA centre Arvydas Sabonis has similar strengths as his father as a big man: high basketball IQ, strong, physical nature and excellent passing. But he’s another pick who looks to be on the move as part of a blockbuster trade which will see Oklahoma City’s Serge Ibaka sent to the Magic.

12. Atlanta Hawks (via Utah Jazz) — Taurean Prince (SF - Baylor)

Prince is a versatile wing who can defend multiple positions and hit the three ball.

13. Phoenix Suns (via Washington Wizards) — Georgios Papagiannis (C - Greece)

The Suns have reportedly included this pick in their trade with Sacramento for eighth pick Marquese Chriss, so they’re picking for the Kings here. Papagiannis, from Greece, is a huge post player who can score from the outside as well.

All the drama has been too much for Kings centre DeMarcus Cousins.

14. Chicago Bulls — Denzel Valentine (SF - Michigan State)

With the final lottery pick, the Bulls selected the Spartans star who averaged almost 20 points and eight assists per game as a senior.

15. Denver Nuggets (via Houston Rockets) — Juan Hernangomez (PF - Spain)

16. Boston Celtics (via Dallas Mavericks) — Guerschon Yabusele (PF - France)

17. Memphis Grizzlies —Wade Baldwin IV (PG - Vanderbilt)

18. Detroit Pistons — Henry Ellenson (PF - Marquette)

19. Denver Nuggets (via Portland Trail Blazers) — Malik Beasley (SG - Florida State)

20. Brooklyn Nets (via Indiana Pacers) — Caris LeVert (SG - Michigan)

21. Atlanta Hawks — DeAndre Bembry (SF - St Joseph’s)

22. Charlotte Hornets — Malachi Richardson (SG - Syracuse)

23. Boston Celtics — Ante Zizic (C - Croatia)

24. Philadelphia 76ers (via Miami Heat/Cleveland Cavaliers) — Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot (SF - France)

25. Los Angeles Clippers — Brice Johnson (PF - North Carolina)

26. Philadelphia 76ers (via Oklahoma City Thunder/Nuggets/Cavaliers) — Furkan Kirkmaz (SG - Turkey)

27. Toronto Raptors — Pascal Siakam (PF - New Mexico State)

28. Phoenix Suns (via Cavaliers/Celtics) — Skal Labissiere (PF - Kentucky)

29. San Antonio Spurs — Dejounte Murray (PG - Washington)

30. Golden State Warriors — Damian Jones (C - Vanderbilt)

Brandon Ingram has been tasked with reviving the Lakers.
Brandon Ingram has been tasked with reviving the Lakers.

SECOND ROUND

31. Boston Celtics (via 76ers/Heat) — Deyonta Davis (PF - Michigan State), 32. Los Angeles Lakers — Ivaca Zubac (C - Croatia), 33. Los Angeles Clippers (via Nets) — Cheick Diallo (PF - Kansas), 34. Phoenix Suns — Tyler Ulis (PG - Kentucky), 35. Boston Celtics (via Timberwolves/Suns) — Rade Zagorac (SG - Serbia), 36. Milwaukee Bucks (via Pelicans/Kings) — Malcolm Brogdon (SG - Virginia), 37. Houston Rockets (via Knicks/Kings/Blazers) — Chinanu Onuaku (C - Louisville) , 38. Milwaukee Bucks — Patrick McCraw (SG - UNLV), 39. New Orleans Pelicans (via Nuggets/76ers) — David Michineau (PG - France), 40. New Orleans Pelicans (via Kings) — Diamond Stone (C - Maryland), 41. Orlando Magic — Stephen Zimmerman (C - UNLV), 42. Utah Jazz — Isaiah Whitehead (SG - Seton Hall), 43. Houston Rockets — Zhou Qi (PF - China), 44. Atlanta Hawks (via Wizards) — Isaia Cordinier (SG - France), 45. Boston Celtics (via Grizzlies) — Demetrius Jackson (PG - Notre Dame), 46. Dallas Mavericks — A.J. Hammons (C - Purdue), 47. Orlando Magic (via Bulls) — Jake Layman (SF - Maryland), 48. Chicago Bulls (via Blazers/Cavaliers) — Paul Zipser (SF - Germany), 49. Detroit Pistons — Michael Gbinije (SF - Syracuse), 50. Indiana Pacers — Georges Niang (SF - Iowa St), 51. Boston Celtics (via Heat) — Ben Bentil (PF - Providence), 52. Utah Jazz (via Celtics/Grizzlies) — Joel Bolomboy (PF - Weber St), 53. Denver Nuggets (via Hornets/Thunder) — Petr Cornelie (PF - France), 54. Atlanta Hawks — Kay Felder (PG - Oakland), 55. Brooklyn Nets (via Clippers) — Marcus Paige (PG- UNC), 56. Denver Nuggets (via Thunder) — Daniel Hamilton (SF - UConn), 57. Memphis Grizzlies (via Raptors) — Wang Zhelin (C - China), 58. Boston Celtics (via Cavaliers) — Abdel Nader (PF - Iowa St), 59. Sacramento Kings (via Spurs) — Isaiah Cousins (SG - Oklahoma), 60. Utah Jazz (via Warriors) — Tyrone Wallace (PG - California)

8.30am

Aussie hit by 11th-hour age controversy

Ben Simmons in action for LSU this season.
Ben Simmons in action for LSU this season.

The Philadelphia 76ers are set to select Ben Simmons as the No.1 overall pick at the NBA Draft, but another giant Australian has been hit by an 11th-hour controversy.

NBA teams are reportedly questioning whether Perth’s 216cm tall Thon Maker, listed as a 19-year-old, is older.

Maker was five-years-old when his family fled war-torn Sudan and settled in Australia, making his journey to the NBA one of the great stories of today’s draft.

Some draft analysts predict the Detroit Pistons will select Maker with the 18th pick, but the age controversy could damage his draft stock as his performances in high school against less developed players could be discounted.

“Several teams have entirely ruled Thon Maker out of the first round due to his age,” Sports Illustrated contributor Jake Fischer wrote on Twitter. “Multiple sources believe Maker to be 21-23, not 19.”

Other draft experts had a different perspective. “I first saw Thon Maker in 2012 in LA,” DraftExpress.com’s Jonathan Givony tweeted. “His physical progression from then to now has been very similar to what you’d expect from age 15 to 19. Check his measurements .... in 2013, he was 191 pounds (87kgs). Around 216-220 now. Would be surprised if he’s much older.”

The Vertical’s Adrian Wojnarowski still believes Maker will be an early pick. “One prospect on enough draft room boards to believe that he’ll go in first round: Seven-footer Thon Maker,” he tweeted.

The biggest prediction came from ESPN.com’s Chad Ford, whose final mock draft had Maker landing with the Milwaukee Bucks at pick 10.

Thon Maker (left) poses with fellow draft prospects Brandon Ingram and Jamal Murray at the NBA Draft Lottery.
Thon Maker (left) poses with fellow draft prospects Brandon Ingram and Jamal Murray at the NBA Draft Lottery.

There is little doubt about 19-year-old, 208cm tall Simmons’ prospects. Simmons appears all but certain to be the number one pick by the 76ers, a team with an atrocious win/loss record coached by former NBL and Australian Olympic coach Brett Brown.

“I’ve put in a lot of hours, a lot of years to get here,” Simmons, the son of US-born former Melbourne Tigers NBL star Dave Simmons, told reporters.

Simmons shot down a US reporter’s question about whether he might play for Team USA at future Olympics, rather than Australia. “No, I’d never play for the US,” Simmons, who will skip Rio to settle in with his new NBA team, replied. “I’m Australian.”

Simmons is set to become the third Australian-born player drafted number one, with Andrew Bogut the top pick in 2005 and Kyrie Irving in 2011.

Melbourne duo Venky Jois and Emmanuel Malou are also hoping to hear their names called out at the draft held at the Barclays Centre in Brooklyn, New York.

— AAP

8am

Iverson here to help Simmons

Ben Simmons has been handed the responsibility of reviving the embattled Philadelphia 76ers and the man who did it last is on board.

Sixers great Allen Iverson, who led the franchise to the NBA Finals in 2001, offered to help the young Aussie make the transition to the NBA.

“I just want to help in any way that I can,” said Iverson, at the Sixers Draft Party. “Even if it’s just a phone conversation, or whatever. I want to give back to the organisation that gave so much to me. I want to give back to the fans that gave me so much. Anything that I can do, I’m willing to do for them.”

Asked what advice he’d give the Melbourne-born youngster, Iverson said: “To play in Philadelphia you’ve gotta give everything you’ve got. Play every game like it’s your last and they will love you. They’ll love you to death. That’s all they want. These are the best fans on Earth. They just want you give maximum effort. That’s it.”

Simmons already copied two of Iverson’s signature moves by “breaking” a cameraman’s ankles as he walked into Barclays Centre — and then stepping over the fallen lensman.

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Original URL: https://www.news.com.au/sport/american-sports/live-ben-simmons-future-decided-at-nba-draft/news-story/e206027886568aca5a087b94e811dcdd