Boomers put aside deadline to give Ben Simmons more time to commit to World Cup

Basketball Australia is prepared put its deadline aside to give Ben Simmons more time to prove his fitness for Australia’s World Cup campaign. The timeframe for his World Cup call has been revealed.

Basketball Australia is prepared put its deadline aside to give Ben Simmons more time to prove his fitness for Australia’s World Cup campaign.

CODE Sports can reveal a decision on Simmons’ World Cup commitment won’t be for at least a few weeks as the NBA star recovers from back surgery.

Boomers officials originally placed an early June deadline on the Brooklyn Nets guard to decide, but are now willing to alter this hardline stance.

Simmons is back training and “feeling good” but is yet to test himself in full-contact competitive battles.

He wants to see how his body responds to the ramped-up training before making a call on the World Cup.

Ben Simmons is on the mend after a back injury ended his season with the Nets. Picture: Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images

Simmons also has time on his side, with the Boomers’ squad set for pre-tournament training and selection in Cairns from July 30-August 9.

It comes as Australian officials have booked 12 seats to Japan for the World Cup, but don’t have to identify the players’ names until a day before flying.

The Boomers face Finland in their World Cup opener on August 25.

Australian coach Brian Goorjian has left a roster spot open for Simmons if he wants to attend Australia’s pre-tournament camp in Cairns.

Goorjian is keen to help the Melbourne-born guard regain his fitness and confidence – and believes a stint in the green and gold would be perfect.

Simmons has taken to his personal Instagram to post images of him working out.

The three-time NBA All-Star looks fit and focused and Goorjian says it’s exciting to see from a Boomers’ World Cup perspective.

“The conversation with Ben has been positive all the way through and I feel like there is a real chance that (he plays at the World Cup),” Goorjian said.

“That door is open. It’s something he would love to do, and we’d love to have him.

“He is working out hard and he is going to know where he is at and if he is capable.

“I’m very comfortable with what has been presented – and that is he’ll be there – but if not, hopefully there is an Olympics down the road.”

“The Boomers don’t need to be carrying questions into their preparation”
Three-time Olympian and NBA champion Luc Longley calls for Ben Simmons @FIBAWC clarity.
READ: 🏀👇https://t.co/53DSdMl5Bupic.twitter.com/RgR8ItIDRT

— Matt Logue (@mattlogue7) June 6, 2023

Melbourne-born Simmons struggled with fitness and form in his first season in Brooklyn and has since fought to recover from complications arising from last May’s major back surgery.

The former NBA Rookie of the Year, last month, confirmed he wanted to wear the green and gold again — it’s been a decade since he appeared in his only two internationals, back in 2013.

“I’m currently rehabilitating my back injury and putting my full effort and focus towards that,” Simmons said at the time. “I love what coach Goorjian is building with the Boomers and I look forward to being a part of the program in the future.”

Why we’re still waiting on Boomer Ben’s World Cup call

Ben Simmons still wants to play for Australia at the World Cup — but the Boomers will have to wait for an answer.

Simmons, who has been active on social media over the past few days posting muscular images of himself in the weightroom and on the court, still has boxes to tick before he can be confident his body will hold up to the rigours of the Aussies’ FIBA World Cup campaign.

Code Sports has been told the 26-year-old is “feeling good” but is yet to test himself in full-contact competitive battles, with the Boomers’ squad set for pre-tournament training and selection in Cairns in less than two months (July 30-August 9).

While it was hoped they’d have an answer by now after earmarking an initial early-July deadline, Basketball Australia and coach Brian Goorjian are understood to be happy with the communication out of the Simmons’ camp and are prepared to give him more time, confident he can be a difference-maker.

Melbourne-born Simmons struggled with fitness and form in his first season in Brooklyn and has since fought to recover from complications arising from last May’s major back surgery.

The former NBA Rookie of the Year, last month, confirmed he wanted to wear the green and gold again — it’s been a decade since he appeared in his only two internationals, back in 2013.

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

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

Aussie basketball fans are divided over the polarising three-time NBA All Star, some hopeful he can rejuvenate his career through the Boomers, others, not so positive.

There is support among the Aussie playing group for Simmons to be involved. Matthew Dellavedova, last month, publicly affirmed he wanted to see the gifted 208cm guard get a taste of the famed Boomers’ culture.

“I think it would be great for him,” Dellavedova said.

“He obviously has unique size, athleticism, vision, passing ability and would add a different dimension to the group.

“Hopefully he can get healthy and be a part of it.”

The Boomers will play three warm-up games in August at Melbourne’s Rod Laver Arena, before their World Cup-opener against Finland on August 25.

Originally published as Boomers put aside deadline to give Ben Simmons more time to commit to World Cup