Ben Simmons LSU, Golden State Warrior Andrew Bogut says he’ll be best ever Australian basketballer

ANDREW Bogut is arguably Australia’s best ever basketballer. But he thinks college phenom Ben Simmons will be even better.

NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 24: Ben Simmons #25 of the LSU Tigers carries the ball against Cody Martin #15 of the North Carolina State Wolfpack at Barclays Center on November 24, 2015 in Brooklyn borough of New York City. Mike Stobe/Getty Images/AFP == FOR NEWSPAPERS, INTERNET, TELCOS & TELEVISION USE ONLY ==

ANDREW Bogut has zero doubts about Louisiana State University standout Ben Simmons making it in the NBA, predicting the 19-year-old will finish his career as Australia’s best basketballer.

Simmons who is playing a starring role for LSU in their college season, averaging 19.6 points as well as 14 rebounds and six assists per game, is tipped to be one of the top picks in the 2016 NBA Draft.

Bogut, a former No. 1 draft pick, going to the Milwaukee Bucks in 2005, is in a good position to judge what Simmons can do and the Golden State centre is impressed.

“He’s playing very, very well and now it’s at the point where journalists are trying to pick apart his game,” Bogut told SEN Radio.

Australian basketballer Ben Simmons is starring for LSU and, according to Andrew Bogut, will be the best ever Aussie hoops player.

“He’s a young kid, he has weaknesses that he has to work on but he is that far ahead of the curve — he will be the No. 1 pick. “He is probably the most talented guy we have had in Australian history to come over here, with just his versatility.

“He can do so much with the ball and off the ball, is a very good passer, high (basketball) IQ and when it’s all said and done he’ll be the number one Australian player to play in the NBA.” Bogut, who won the NBA championship with the Warriors last season, isn’t the only star giving Simmons rave reviews.

Simmons has been compared to the great LeBron James, something the Cleveland Cavaliers superstar is fine with.

“I don’t mind it,” James said on the LSU website.

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

Former number one pick Andrew Bogut is arguably the best ever Australian basketballer, but he believes Simmons will be even better.

“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.” Simmons has been doing his best to justify the hype.

His LSU Tigers are far from perfect, with a 4-3 record to start their season, but Simmons has been dynamic and in their last game posted 43 points, 14 rebounds and seven assists in a 119-108 victory over the University of North Florida.

The 43 points was a significant number for LSU as it was the highest individual points tally since a young and similarly dominant Shaquille O’Neal posted that score against Northern Arizona in December of 1991.

Simmons will next take the court for the Tigers on Sunday (Monday AEST) when they play Houston in Texas.

Originally published as Ben Simmons LSU, Golden State Warrior Andrew Bogut says he’ll be best ever Australian basketballer