Ben Simmons sends Aussie fans wild with massive announcement
Basketball superstar Ben Simmons has made himself available for the Boomers this year, in a massive boost for Australia’s medal chances at the FIBA World Cup.
Two days after the Philadelphia 76ers’ heartbreaking NBA play-off exit, Simmons posted a video on social media for his Australian fans on Wednesday (AEST).
“I’d also like to announce that I am going to be a Boomer for the upcoming events. So stay tuned,” he said.
Simmons’s pledge to the green and gold would strengthen a squad that will also feature Patty Mills, Joe Ingles, Aron Baynes and Matthew Dellavedova as they chase a maiden international medal at the World Cup in China from August 31.
It would also boost the Boomers’ Olympic hopes in Tokyo next year after they were cruelly denied a medal in Brazil.
Before that the Australian squad will gather on home soil for double-headers against both Canada and USA in Perth and Melbourne respectively.
Previously rated $76 outsiders by some betting agencies, the Boomers shot to $21 to win the World Cup on the back of Simmons’s brief video.
Unlike his Australian NBA colleagues, Simmons had hesitated to commit to the cause during the season, while his future at the 76ers remains clouded.
The 22-year-old NBA All-Star is eligible for a five-year, $A220 million contract extension with the Sixers in July, but there is speculation the team could trade him if they receive the right players in return.
Australia’s former Chicago Bulls champion Luc Longley has remained in contact with the Boomers’ NBA players this season while Simmons’s godfather David Patrick added as an assistant coach for the national team in April.
Simmons’s 76ers were knocked out of the NBA championship race on Monday (AEST) in a thrilling game seven loss to Toronto Raptors, courtesy of Kawhi Leonard’s epic buzzer-beater.
BOOM! @BenSimmons25 announces he plans to be with the "Boomers for the upcoming events"! #GoBoomers #FIBAWC #BoomersUSA #VisitVictoria https://t.co/bu4rjyK7q7
— Basketball Australia (@BasketballAus) May 15, 2019
Ben Simmons will be a Boomer this winter.. Oi Oi Oi! 👊🏼👊🏼 https://t.co/QZsFTGeY8z
— Sam Tugwell (@samtugwell_15) May 15, 2019
Ben Simmons going to the World Cup is obviously awesome for Boomers. Also a boost for Nike. LeBron James won't be there. Other MVP calibrate players from the NBA likely won't be either. There is a huge gap in Chinese shoe market to fill and Simmons' brand is poised for a boost.
— Ben Mallis (@BenMallis) May 15, 2019
Ben Simmons announces he’s playing for Australia in the upcoming events which would appear to include the World Cup. That’s one hell of a backup for Delly and Patty.
— Kane Pitman (@mkebucksaus) May 15, 2019
Ben Simmons has quietly announced that he will represent Australia NT "at the upcoming events". The biggest "upcoming event" is FIBA World Cup in China. So here we go.
— Dmitry Planidin (@DmitryPlanidin) May 15, 2019
🇦🇺 AUS vs USA 🇺🇸 Australia is so proud of you Ben.
— bonza741 (@boumj005) May 15, 2019
Great to see for basketball in Australia with the Boomers now a big chance come the FIBA World Cup, well done @BenSimmons25. #NBAPlayoffs @NBL https://t.co/MsXkOsTugx
— Andrew Lucas (@LucasLowdown) May 15, 2019
Ben Simmons announces he'll play for the Boomers "in the upcoming events."
Presumably means he'll be in green and gold for the Australia vs USA showcase in August and the FIBA World Cup in September.
Huge! https://t.co/OXlQHlTESc
— Max Burford (@mkfburford) May 15, 2019
D’oh!
Tough news for Canada, Lithuania and Senegal. Most Aussie pundits thought Ben Simmons was not going to play for Australia this summer. #canball https://t.co/FjMuwrGWBs— Witt (@WitterSR) May 15, 2019
Ben Simmons gonna play for Australia. The only good news of the day https://t.co/34nrZuKHTV
— Joe McLachlan (@JoeyMcLachlan) May 15, 2019
with AAP