Ben Simmons left out of Boomers World Cup squad days after expressing interest

Ben Simmons looked set to do the unthinkable, before a Boomers announcement quickly shattered his hopes of making a long-awaited return.

Ben Simmons #10 of the Brooklyn Nets dribbles during the first half against the Miami Heat at Barclays Center. (Photo by Sarah Stier / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)

Tortured Australian NBA star Ben Simmons has been left out of the national team’s extended squad for the upcoming 2023 FIBA World Cup, just days after the precocious Brooklyn point forward expressed his desire to return to the green and gold.

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National team coach Brian Goorjian called the selection process “so tough”, citing the depth of talent in Australian basketball at the moment.

“Pulling together this extended squad has taken time – it’s been a thorough process,” Goorjian said.

“The coaches and I have had many discussions about getting the mix right, but I’m really pleased with where we’ve landed with the guys we’ve selected, there’s a good balance across the court.

“The fact it’s been so tough goes to show the depth of talent we have in Australian basketball right now and this extends back to all the pathway programs, the Centre of Excellence and the dedicated coaches who have been committed to growing our game, setting the standard, and getting us to this position.

“After the draw took place around a week ago and we know who and where we’re playing, we’re excited and eager to get stuck in and prepare for what will be an extremely challenging tournament.”

Simmons made his intentions clear with in an interview with News Corp last week, confirming he was putting his efforts towards Boomers representation.

Simmons told the Herald Sun he loved what Goorjian was building with the Boomers.

“I’m currently rehabilitating my back injury and putting my full effort and focus towards that,” Simmons said.

“I love what coach Goorjian is building with the Boomers and I look forward to being a part of the program in the future.”

Goorjian said last week the national side was always open to Simmons, and that the 26-year-old was a “strong chance” to play at the tournament, hosted by Indonesia, Japan and the Philippines.

Ben Simmons has been out of action since February. Copyright 2023 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images)

“I think his (Ben’s) mindset is getting health, getting in shape and getting ready to play in this (World Cup),” Goorjian told SEN.

“And I think he has been along that line for a while and I felt it last time.

“There were unfortunate circumstances (why he didn’t play at Tokyo), but I feel like he is going to make himself available.

“Our door is always open to him and during my time with the Boomers he has always been straightforward with me.

“But that was a very tough situation (in Philadelphia) and he was in the process of change.

“It just didn’t work, but now he is in a situation where he is getting his health back to be ready to play.

“As we sit now, I think there is a really strong chance (that he plays at the World Cup).

“I also feel that Ben understands being with the Boomers and enjoying his basketball while representing his country.

“He will also be around these guys that he has grown up with. He gets that and he wants that.”

Australian coach Brian Goorjian previously said Simmons was a “strong chance” to play in the World Cup. (Photo by William WEST / AFP)

After missing the entire 2021-22 season after back surgery, Simmons then concluded his 2022-23 campaign with Brooklyn early with back and knee issues, but the herniated disc is not expected to require that he go under the knife.

Simmons was one of the most talented prospects in world basketball ahead of going to Philadelphia with the number one overall pick in the 2016 draft, before winning the 2018 Rookie of the Year.

He also represented the under-17 national side at age 15, but has only played two games for the senior Boomers across over a decade.

After playing two games in a bilateral series against New Zealand in 2013 aged just 16, Simmons missed the cut for the final roster for the 2014 FIBA World Cup, setting into motion a series of withdrawals from the Boomers setup that has meant he’s never played for the national team at an international tournament.

Simmons signalled his desire to represent Australia at the 2016 Rio Olympics in August 2015, before pulling out in April 2016 to prepare for his rookie season in the NBA.

He then said he would play for Australia at the 2019 FIBA World Cup, before pulling out in July 2019 citing “professional obligations” with the Philadelphia 76ers.

In June 2021, he pulled out of the Australian Olympic squad for the Tokyo Olympics, saying he was focused on improving his shooting for the 2021-22 NBA season.

Josh Giddey will be making his Boomers tournament debut if he makes the final squad for the World Cup. Copyright 2023 NBAE (Photo by Layne Murdoch Jr./NBAE via Getty Images)

Australian basketball legend Andrew Gaze told SEN last week that Simmons had “some work to do” if he wanted to actually suit up for the Boomers at the World Cup, but thought the play style of international basketball would be “fantastic for him.”

“You know what, he hasn’t played a lot of basketball in the last couple of years, and where it is right now, he’s got some work to do to actually make the team,” Gaze said.

“It’s not like it was prior to Tokyo where, the evidence you saw in the NBA, (Simmons will) be a walk-up star, you’re going to be an automatic inclusion.

“Because of his health issues and because of his lack of basketball, and most importantly because of the players (on the squad).”

The 18-man squad also signals the inclusion for a tournament for the first time of Oklahoma City star Josh Giddey, who was cut from the national team’s final roster at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

Giddey has starred for the Thunder this season, scoring 16.6 points per game on 48% shooting while racking up 6.2 assists and 7.9 rebounds as the Thunder’s starting shooting guard.

Giddey said he was looking forward to competing at the World Cup.

“I’ve always dreamed of playing for the Boomers and representing Australia, so to get this opportunity is really special and I’m looking forward to competing at the World Cup,” Giddey said.

“There’s a lot of talent in this squad and I think we’ve got a good chance of matching it with every team – I’m excited for the challenge and to see what we can produce as a group on the world stage.”

There are 10 NBA-rostered players in the Boomers squad, with Dante Exum and Thon Maker having previously played in the league.

Australian Boomers extended 18-man squad: Xavier Cook, Dyson Daniels, Matthew Dellavedova, Dante Exum, Sam Froling, Josh Giddey, Chris Goulding, Josh Green, Joe Ingles, Nick Kay, Jock Landale, Thon Maker, Will McDowell-White, Patty Mills, Keanu Pinder, Duop Reath, Matisse Thybulle, Jack White