Philadelphia 76ers point-forward Ben Simmons has announced that he will not suit up for Australia in the upcoming 2019 FIBA World Cup in China.
Simmons, who won the 2018 Rookie of the Year award, will instead use the summer to focus and train for the upcoming 2019-20 NBA season with the Sixers.
😤🇦🇺 pic.twitter.com/CEmulzcqcR
— Ben Simmons (@BenSimmons25) July 16, 2019
Philly recently signed Simmons to a max extension worth $170 million over five years, per ESPN. Due to the Designated Rookie Extension signed, Simmons could be due for a pay raise should he earn a spot on one All-NBA team next season.
Simmons is one of the Sixers' pillars alongside 25-year-old All-Star center Joel Embiid. Philly intends to lock up Embiid and Simmons for the future as they build a team around their talents. Both Simmons and Embiid were sidelined after being drafted by Philly before they officially started their careers, although Simmons only missed his true freshman year.
Last season, Simmons averaged 16.9 points, 8.8 rebounds and 7.7 assists per contest, appearing in 79 games for the Sixers and shooting 56.3 percent from the floor. Simmons has been widely criticized for his lack of definitive position, inability to attempt or hit outside shots, and poor proficiency at the free throw line.
Nevertheless, the third-year guard-forward will forego Australia's FIBA bid and instead work on his game for the Sixers.
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