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Ben Simmons is slowly rising as one of the biggest stars in the NBA. While most fans around the world see him as just another NBA talent about to bloom, back home in Australia, Simmons is referred as a role model by kids.
Asked about this, Simmons shared his thoughts, per NBA TV:
“That's amazing that a lot of kids back home can look at me as a role model and fall in love with the game that I'm in love with.”
Below is the video:
"That's amazing that a lot of kids back home can look at me as a role model and fall in love with the game that I'm in love with." – @BenSimmons25#NBAPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/kdywuG62Ur
— NBA TV (@NBATV) May 10, 2018
Most casual NBA fans only knew about Simmons for the past two years or so after being taken as the first overall pick. After sitting out last year, he played a full season in 2017-18, guiding the Sixers to the playoffs. Everyone immediately jumped on the bandwagon once they witnessed Simmons' talents.
But back home, even before he was a young gun, Simmons was already famous. As reported by Kevin F. Love of Liberty Ballers, Ben Mallis of Pick and Roll Australia said:
People have known about Simmons for years, but he’s only exploded into the mainstream consciousness over the past 18 months. It’s a little different in Australia with elite basketball prospects. The very best, like Simmons and Jonah Bolden (whom the 76ers drafted last year), leave Australia as teenagers and attend high school in the USA. This can make it hard to follow their path prior to the NBA. Basketball die-hards always knew Simmons would be special. The entire country is now paying attention.
