Ben Simmons has changed his mind about playing in exhibition games with Australia’s World Cup team, relays Roy Ward of The Age.
The Sixers‘ star never planned to participate in the tournament, but he indicated that he wanted to work out with the Boomers and suit up for exhibition contests, including a pair against Team USA. However, Basketball Australia issued a statement today citing Simmons’ “professional obligations,” along with a desire to have the actual World Cup team together for those games.
“After talking with coach Andrej (Lemanis), we both agreed it was better for me to not participate in this year’s 2019 World Cup and exhibition games,” Simmons said. “With our focus being to win a medal at the 2020 Olympics, the Boomers’ preparation in the lead up to the world championships is of the utmost importance and me not playing allows the team to create the chemistry they need to compete at the highest level and qualify for the Olympics. I want to thank Basketball Australia for their continued support and I’m committed and excited to compete in the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.”
Fellow Australian Patty Mills of the Spurs predicts a bright future for Simmons in international play, but said it’s important to focus on the upcoming competition.
“We appreciate his continued support and willingness to still be a valuable part of the team as we prepare for our ultimate goal of winning a medal at the World Champs for the first time,” Mills said. “… Ben will be next in line to play a significant leadership role in carrying on the legacy of our team and what it means to represent the Green and Gold as a Boomer with pride, which we all have done for so long.”
Simmons’ departure follows a long string of withdrawals from Team USA that includes some of the NBA’s biggest stars. Several new invitations to training camp were announced Thursday.
the Boomers’ preparation in the lead up to the world championships is of the utmost importance and me not playing allows the team to create the chemistry they need to compete at the highest level and qualify for the Olympics.
But, but, but, Ben Simmons is an expert facilitator and he could show the young lads the proper way of facilitation!
He can’t shoot, but he can facilitate like nobody’s business!
Man can you stop trolling Big Ben?!?!?
He’s still angry we took Simmons over Murray. Like, Murray was never projected #1 overall. If they did not take Simmons it would have been Ingram who imo, career is a bit of a disaster bc of injury and circumstances but still should have put up better than Michael Beasley stats on a trash LAL team. Skinny Michael Beasley that’s all I see. So if my choices were Simmons who at this point I view as a plus version of Lamar Odom, I’d take Simmons. Odom shot 3s but below league avgs for his career.
Simmons is not a plus anything on Odom.
Beer goggles? Its Sunday so you must be drinking w that or on whatever Lamar is on.
You’re the one who’s on something, two years in the league and two years of laying eggs in the playoffs and you d-riding Scared to Shoot Simmons already? Come on now!
Was rookie of the year and an all star before he turned 23
What did Odom do again?
I want my money back. Paid $150 to watch “NBA stars vs Ben Simmons and co.” But no at best we get to see Kemba. Smh
Paid what? You going to a game?