Aussie basketball star Ben Simmons has signalled how he intends to spend part of his NBA fortune when he retires, which comes as great news for domestic basketball in Australia.
The Brooklyn Nets star is on the comeback trail from back surgery and hopes to have many years left in the NBA before he hangs up the sneakers.
However he given a hint into what could lie beyond his playing days, including becoming an owner or part owner of an Australian National Basketball League team.
Simmons investment in the league would continue the growth it has undergone since billionaire property developer Larry Kestelman bought a majority stake in the league in 2015.
Several Australian and NBA stars have ownership stakes in NBL teams including Dante Exum (South East Melbourne Phoenix), Andrew Bogut (Sydney Kings), Luc Longley (Kings) and more.
Aussie tennis star Nick Kyrgios is also part of the South East Melbourne Phoenix ownership group which includes former NBA players Al Harrington, Josh Childress and Zach Randolph.
NBA All-Star Khris Middleton is part of the Brisbane Bullets ownership group while former NBA superstar Carmelo Anthony has been unveiled as a global ambassador of the Next Stars program.
‘Knock on wood, my goal is to play in the next Olympics. That’s ultimately the one thing I haven’t done in my career in terms of Australian basketball, that I want to do,’
‘I was sick. I was frustrated at that, just because it was another opportunity that I missed. I always want to represent Australia,’ he said.
‘I was ready to go, I would’ve played 100 per cent. I can’t predict injuries, I can’t predict surgeries. Unfortunately I wasn’t able to.
‘But ultimately it’s my dream. It’s something I speak about to my friends back home all the time. I want to put on that green and gold and represent.’
Simmons was drafted as the No. 1 overall pick by the Philadelphia 76ers in the 2016 NBA Draft and signed a five-year, $177million max contract with the 76ers in 2019.
But the Aussie star faced setbacks, including a significant back injury and mental health struggles, which led to prolonged absences from the game.
In 2022, he was traded to the Brooklyn Nets but continued to struggle with injuries, limiting his playing time.
Simmons’ back struggles forced him to withdraw from the Australian Boomers squad for the Paris Olympics, but he has returned to the NBA in the final year of his max contract, albeit on limited minutes as he recovers from surgery.
