It’s been a tough couple of seasons for Brooklyn Nets guard Ben Simmons.
While his NBA career has stalled and sputtered since all of his drama with the Philadelphia 76ers, Simmons seemed set on playing for his native Australia at the FIBA World Cup as a way to represent his country and rework his image.
While Simmons hasn’t played since February due to a back injury, he said earlier this month that he felt like he would be ready for that tournament and was looking forward to joining the team.
“I’m currently rehabilitating my back injury and putting my full effort and focus towards that,” Simmons told The Daily Telegraph. “I love what Coach [Brian] Goorjian is building with the Boomers and I look forward to being a part of the program in the future.”
Unfortunately for Simmons, that excitement was not reciprocated as it has been reported that Simmons was left off the country’s initial 18-man roster for the World Cup. Meanwhile, ten other Australians who play in the NBA did make the list, including Josh Giddey, Patty Mills, Joe Ingles, Matthew Dellavedova, and Matisse Thybulle.
It’s unclear why Simmons was left off the list, though he does have a history of saying he intends to play for the team, affectionately known as the Boomers, before opting out. This time, it appears that Australia snubbed him first, though it sounds as though it’s still possible he could join them later.
*pretends to be shocked* https://t.co/y32VFAnTh7
— Philly Sports Sufferer (@mccrystal_alex) May 8, 2023
Patty Mills and Joe Ingles back again for the Olympic bronze medalists from Australia. No Ben Simmons again. https://t.co/wPO9LCOBHj
— Brian Mahoney (@briancmahoney) May 8, 2023
Australia's Head Coach Goorjian on Ben Simmons last week: “I think Ben’s mindset is getting healthy, getting in shape, & getting ready to play. As we sit now, there is a really strong chance that he plays.”
— Marco Pagliariccio (@loupaya) May 8, 2023
About Sean Keeley
Along with writing for Awful Announcing and The Comeback, Sean is the Managing Editor for Comeback Media. Previously, he created the Syracuse blog Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician and wrote 'How To Grow An Orange: The Right Way to Brainwash Your Child Into Rooting for Syracuse.' He has also written non-Syracuse-related things for SB Nation, Curbed, and other outlets. He currently lives in Seattle where he is complaining about bagels. Send tips/comments/complaints to sean@thecomeback.com.