Ben Simmons withdraws from Boomers World Cup campaign

The Boomers have been dealt yet another blow with NBA star Ben Simmons making a call on whether he would join the team for the upcoming FIBA World Cup.

Ben Simmons’ decade long absence from the Australian team will continue after he ruled out joining the Boomers squad for the FIBA World Cup.

National coach Brian Goorjian didn’t name Simmons in his squad but left the door open as he continued his rehabilitation from a back injury which cut his 2022-23 NBA season with the Brooklyn Nets short.

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The 26-year-old NBA All Star hasn’t played for the Australian national team since the 2013 FIBA Oceania Championships but had signalled his wish to try and get himself ready.

A report from Nets Daily said Simmons and the Nets came to a joint decision that he would focus his energies on getting ready for the upcoming NBA season.

Basketball Australia then confirmed the news.

Simmons hasn’t played regular professional basketball since 2021-22. (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images)

Ben Simmons has been working out in a bid to return to the court.

“Ben Simmons and the Brooklyn Nets have advised Basketball Australia that Ben is unavailable for the World Cup,” a statement said.

“Ben needs more time to focus on his rehab and he looks forward to being part of the Boomers in the future.

“We wish Ben all the best in his recovery.”

Simmons had given previous commitments to play for the Boomers at both the 2019 World Cup and 2021 Tokyo Olympics, but was a late withdrawal both times.

In holding out hope earlier this month that Simmons would join his squad, Goorjian labelled the NB A star “that little spice that you add” to the team.

But he was never relying on Simmons linking up with the Boomers.

“We‘re building a foundation and a process moving forward and if he comes, that’s a nice addition to it,” he said.

“If not, we‘re good to go.”

Simmons was traded from Philadelphia to Brooklyn in acrimonious circumstances. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)

Simmons could yet target joining the Boomers for the 2024 Paris Olympics, and has previously said he was keen on joining the national team in the future.

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

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

The Boomers, coming off a bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics, were drawn into Group E for the World Cup, alongside Germany, Finland, and Japan.

The Boomers will play their first two group phases in Okinawa, Japan, before travelling to Manila, Philippines for the finals, should they qualify.