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Ben Simmons yet to answer burning question about World Cup participation

Ben Simmons has been called out for his “shocking” reported decision to snub the Boomers over a burning question yet to be answered.

2 min read
July 16, 2019 - 2:51PM
Ben Simmons has some explaining to do.
Ben Simmons has some explaining to do.

Ben Simmons decision to verbally agree to the richest deal ever signed by an Australian athlete has shined the torchlight on his earlier reported decision to walk away from Australia’s Basketball World Cup campaign this year.

Simmons on Tuesday morning reportedly came to terms with the Philadelphia 76ers on a $170 million ($241.6 million AUD) contract extension that keeps him at the Philadelphia 76ers for the next five years.

The contract breakthrough has raised eyebrows about the 22-year-old star’s reported decision not to make himself available for the World Cup beginning in August and Australia’s blockbuster battles against the USA Dream Team on home soil.

ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski on Sunday reported Simmons is “doubtful” to play for Australia this year after an agreement between Philadelphia and Simmons’ agent Rich Paul.

The report claims Simmons has decided to focus only on his Sixers’ 2019-2020 NBA season and he was spotted a day later practising with fellow Sixers star Tobias Harris.

Boomers coach Andrej Lemanis had previously said Basketball Australia will continue its “dialogue” with Paul in the hope Simmons can be convinced to backflip on his first backflip.

“This is not new to us and we will continue our dialogue with Ben, and his agent Rich Paul, and see how it plays out,” he said.

“There is a genuine desire from Ben to play and we hope that circumstances unfold favourably to allow him to do so.”

Ben Simmons hasn’t committed to the Boomers.
Ben Simmons hasn’t committed to the Boomers.

With his max contract extension locked up, questions have now arisen about what exactly is holding Simmons back from being involved in the World Cup in China.

ESPN NBA analyst Amin Elhassan said on Tuesday’s The Jump he was “shocked” to hear Simmons had decided not to be involved with the Australian team after previously releasing two videos on social media where he declared he was going to play for the Boomers and even teased with a short clip of him wearing Boomers colours.

Simmons’ backflip was followed by fellow Klutch Sports client Anthony Davis’ decision to also not make himself available for the international basketball showpiece event.

“I was more shocked about another Klutch client and that’s Ben Simmons because Anthony Davis has a legitimate reason,” Elhassan said on Tuesday.

“Anthony Davis isn’t going for Team USA because he’s entering the last season of his contract and he has to lock it down. Also, let’s be honest, for him not to turn out for Team USA, it’s not going to vastly change their chances of a gold medal.

“Australia has a real chance at medalling and Ben Simmons, who just signed a mammoth max deal extension today.

“This is a bigger deal to me that he’s not playing because Australia needs him and what’s his excuse? I’m getting ready for a championship? You and pretty much every other player who’s playing the world cup.”

Simmons’ unexplained decision has already led to widespread speculation and even wild unsubstantiated claims about a rift between the 76ers point guard and his Aussie teammates.

Australian fans will find out the real reason soon enough with Simmons expected to make a final decision on his involvement before the first game against Team USA next month.

Originally published as Ben Simmons yet to answer burning question about World Cup participation

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Original URL: https://www.themercury.com.au/sport/us-sports/nba/ben-simmons-yet-to-answer-burning-question-about-world-cup-participation/news-story/68bb3e8ad080502cf081db7c90d5eaae