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Ben Simmons: The NCAA is really f****d up

Sixers rookie Ben Simmons has slammed the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) in his new documentary titled ‘One and Done.’

Simmons, one of the most high-profile one-and-done players did not hold back when speaking about the hypocrisy of the NCAA making millions of dollars whilst the players receive zero financial support, outside of their ’scholarships.

“The NCAA is really f****d up,” Simmons says, per ESPN.

“Everybody’s making money except the players. We’re the ones waking up early as hell to be the best teams and do everything they want us to do and then the players get nothing. They say education, but if I’m there for a year, I can’t get much education.”

Studying was not the priority for Simmons at LSU. Source: Getty
Studying was not the priority for Simmons at LSU. Source: Getty

The film chronicles Simmons’ rise from high school phenom in Australia, to Montverde Academy in Florida, LSU, to the NBA and everything that comes along with that journey..

Simmons recounts the temptations that come with being a star college player and the trappings that come with the limelight, whilst trying to remain eligible under the NCAA.

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At LSU, he said he was offered a “Bentley, a Wraith Rolls-Royce, watches, jewelry, a house … anything. It literally is anything. People coming at you, offering you things.”

By his own admission Simmons found it difficult to take the academic side seriously, knowing he was only there for one year. And that one year was all bout playing basketball.

He was ruled ineligible from the Wooden Award for Player of the Year after failing to reach the minimum 2.0 GPA, but the no.1 pick reveals that once he was eligible for his second semester, he literally just didn’t go to class.

“I got Bs and Cs, I’m not going to class next semester because I don’t need to,” Simmons said. “… I’m here to play, I’m not here to go to school.

“[Coach] Jones said, ‘We need to make up a punishment if you miss another class.’ I missed my next class about preparing for better study habits. I’m going to the NBA next season. Why bull**** if it’s not going to help me?”

Simmons went on to say that he plans to become an advocate for college athletes who don’t have a voice, to try and stand up for the masses.

“The NCAA is messed up,” Simmons said. “I don’t have a voice. … I don’t get paid to do it. Don’t say I’m an amateur and make me take pictures and sign stuff and go make hundreds of thousands of millions of dollars off one person. … I’m going off on the NCAA. Just wait, just wait. I can be a voice for everybody in college. I’m here because I have to be here (at LSU). … I can’t get a degree in two semesters, so it’s kind of pointless. I feel like I’m wasting time.”