Sixers All-Star Ben Simmons is âdoubtfulâ to play for Australia in the 2019 FIBA World Cup this summer, his agent Rich Paul of Klutch Sports tells Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.
Simmons is more likely to spend his offseason preparing only for the Sixers' 2019-20 season.
Philadelphia 76ers star Ben Simmons is "doubtful" to play for Australia in the FIBA World Cup this summer, his agent Rich Paul tells ESPN. Simmons is more likely now to spend his full offseason preparing only for the Sixers season â free of national team responsibilities.
â Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 13, 2019
Ben Simmons and Philly are expected to agree to an extension worth $170 million. The 2018 Rookie of the Year averaged 16.9 points, 8.8 rebounds and 7.7 assists this past season while shooting 56.3 percent from the field and 60.0 percent from the free-throw line. Simmons recorded 42 double-doubles and 10 triple-doubles.
Sixer fans are hoping Simmons is working on his jump shot this summer. The lefty has yet to hit a 3-pointer in his NBA career and doesn't have a mid-range jumper either. Simmons put up 13.9 points in the 2019 playoffs. He struggled to score in the half-court due to his lack of perimeter shooting skills.
The Sixers lost All-Star swingman Jimmy Butler to the Miami Heat and shooting guard J.J. Redick to the New Orleans Pelicans in free agency. Philly rebounded by signing five-time All-Star big man Al Horford and acquiring combo guard Josh Richardson from the Heat in the sign-and-trade deal for Butler.
The Sixers are going to go as far as Simmons, Tobias Harris and Joel Embiid can take them. If Simmons can even get some resemblance of a jump shot, he will be unstoppable to defend.
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