Benjamin David Simmons born July 20, 1996 is an Australian professional basketball player currently playing for the Brooklyn Nets in the NBA. He played one season of college basketball with the LSU Tigers, where he earned consensus first-team All-American honors and was named the USBWA National Freshman of the Year. Simmons was selected as the first overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft by the Philadelphia 76ers. After missing his rookie season due to an injured right foot, he was named NBA Rookie of the Year in 2018 and has been selected to the NBA All-Star Game three times. Following a holdout after the 2020–21 season, he was traded to the Brooklyn Nets. Simmons holds the record for the most fines in NBA history due to his financial losses during the holdout.
Ben Simmons Biography 2024
Simmons attended Box Hill Senior Secondary College in Melbourne, Victoria, before relocating to Montverde Academy in Florida to pursue his basketball career in the United States. During his lone college season, LSU had high expectations but failed to make the NCAA Tournament. After this, Simmons declared for the NBA Draft, becoming the third player from Melbourne to be selected first overall in 11 years, following Andrew Bogut and Kyrie Irving. Born to an American father, Dave, who played professional basketball in Australia, Simmons holds dual citizenship in both Australia and the United States. He has also represented the Australian national team in international competitions.
Ben Simmons Biography Details
| Born | 20 July 1996 (age 28)
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia |
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| Listed height | 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) |
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| Listed weight | 240 lb (109 kg) |
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| High school | - Box Hill Senior Secondary College
(Melbourne, Victoria) - Montverde Academy
(Montverde, Florida)
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| College | LSU (2015–2016) |
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Ben Simmons Early Life
Simmons was born in Fitzroy, a suburb of Melbourne, to father Dave and mother Julie. His father, an African-American expatriate, played college basketball at Oklahoma City University before turning professional in Australia’s National Basketball League with the Melbourne Tigers in 1989. Simmons was raised with five siblings—Melissa, Emily, Liam, Sean, and Olivia his father’s children from a previous relationship. He spent most of his early childhood in Newcastle, where his father played and coached basketball. Simmons started playing basketball at age seven with the Newcastle Hunters’ under-12 representative team before later joining the Knox Raiders. As a child, he also played rugby and Australian rules football.
Simmons attended Whitefriars College in Melbourne and was named MVP in Year 7, leading his school to a Division 1A basketball championship. As a teenager, he faced a choice between basketball and Australian rules football, ultimately deciding to pursue basketball. In Year 9, at the age of 15, Simmons played for Box Hill Senior Secondary College at the Australian Schools Championships. His talent soon earned him a scholarship to the Australian Institute of Sport in 2012, and he also participated in the prestigious Pangos All-American Camp in the United States. At just 15, he represented Australia at the 2012 FIBA Under-17 World Championship.
Ben Simmons Career Overview
Year | Achievement |
2016-2017 | Selected as the 1st overall pick in NBA Draft |
2018 | NBA Rookie of the Year |
2019-2021 | NBA All-Star Selections (3 times) |
2020 | NBA All-Defensive First Team (2nd time) |
Early Basketball Career
Period | Details |
Early Years | Grew up playing basketball in Australia |
2011-2013 | Played for Box Hill Senior Secondary College and Montverde Academy |
2013-2015 | Joined LSU Tigers for college basketball |
Ben Simmons College Career
Category | Information |
College | LSU (Louisiana State University) |
Year | 2015-2016 |
Honors | Consensus First-Team All-American, USBWA National Freshman of the Year |
Stat Average | 19.2 PPG, 11.8 RPG, 4.8 APG |
Professional NBA Career
Team | Years Played |
Philadelphia 76ers | 2016–2022 |
Brooklyn Nets | 2022–Present |
Awards | NBA Rookie of the Year, 3x NBA All-Star |
Ben Simmons Performance Statistics
Category | 2020-2021 Season |
Points per Game | 14.3 PPG |
Assists per Game | 6.9 APG |
Rebounds per Game | 7.2 RPG |
Steals per Game | 1.6 SPG |
Role in Australian Basketball
Event | Performance/Outcome |
FIBA Under-17 | Silver Medal (2012) |
FIBA Oceania Championship | Gold Medal (2013) |
2020 Olympics | Withdrew from the team due to NBA focus |
Ben Simmons Relationship with Family
Family Member | Relationship |
Father | Dave Simmons, former professional basketball player |
Mother | Julie Simmons, Australian national |
Siblings | Five siblings, with sister Emily working for Klutch Sports |
Social and Political Engagement
Event | Details |
2020 Election | Endorsed Joe Biden and Kamala Harris |
Relationship | Engaged to Maya Jama, later ended in 2022 |
Ben Simmons Endorsements and Sponsorships
Brand | Details |
Nike | Signed endorsement deal in 2016 |
Klutch Sports | Signed with the agency after declaring for the NBA draft |
International Representation
Competition | Result/Details |
FIBA World Cup | Declined to play in 2019 due to NBA obligations |
2016 Summer Olympics | Withdrew to prepare for NBA career |
Ben Simmons NBA Draft
Year | Details |
2016 NBA Draft | First overall pick by Philadelphia 76ers |
Draft Profile | Considered the top overall prospect, despite not playing in the NCAA tournament |
Ben Simmons High School Career
High School | Achievements |
Montverde Academy | National Champion, MVP honors |
Stats | Averaged 18.5 PPG, 9.8 RPG, 2.7 APG |
Ben Simmons NBA Draft Controversies
Topic | Details |
Pre-Draft Criticism | Media questioned his attitude and character |
Post-Draft Performance | Proved critics wrong with strong Summer League showing |
Ben Simmons Personal Life and Interests
Interest | Details |
Sports Teams | Supports Essendon Football Club, Newcastle Knights |
Hobbies | Focus on improving his shooting game, family involvement |
Ben Simmons Net Worth
Ben Simmons net worth is still a reported $80M.
Ben Simmons Summary
Ben Simmons is one of the most highly regarded professional basketball players, known for his versatility on the court and his impressive achievements both at the college level and in the NBA. His career began with an impactful college season at LSU, followed by being the first overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft. Simmons has earned multiple accolades, including NBA Rookie of the Year, three-time All-Star, and two-time NBA All-Defensive First Team. He has also been a part of Australia’s national team and contributed significantly to their international success. Despite controversies, Simmons remains a key figure in modern basketball, with continued potential for growth and success in his career.
