‘That’s what I want’: Simmons’ bold Boomers claim amid startling injury reveal
Ben Simmons insists he’s “100 per cent” all in favour of representing Australia on the 2024 Olympics in Paris as he seems to place an injury-riddled two years behind him.
Simmons has endured a torrid few years since his notorious 2021 playoffs efficiency with the Philadelphia 76ers the place his offensive confidence was shot to items.
He was finally traded to the Brooklyn Nets in a deal the place James Harden went the opposite manner.
However, Simmons missed the whole 2021/22 season and virtually half of the 2022/23 season on account of again points.
But if the 27-year-old enjoys an enormous season with the Nets this yr, it may put him within the body for a spot within the Boomers squad on the Olympics.
It is one thing Simmons is extraordinarily eager to get entangled with.
“Olympics? Yeah, 100 per cent,” Simmons advised ESPN.
“And that’s what I want to do next year.”
Simmons added: “I want to play. That’s the other thing. I get messages from Australian people like, ‘Yo, you should be playing right now. [Houston Rockets centre] Jock Landale is playing right now.’
Giddey stars as Boomers dismantle Japan | 01:14
MORE COVERAGE
Boomers’ historic WC statement as ‘first-class’ Giddey stars, breakout Aussie erupts
‘Scary stuff’: Americans react in horror to NZ basketball nickname
TV host blasts world champion’s ‘flagrantly ignorant’ comments
“To me, I’m going to play when I’m ready. There hasn’t really been a time where I’ve been prepared and ready physically. But next year, my goal is to be on the Olympic team.”
Despite the three-time NBA All Star’s curiosity in representing the nation in Paris, Boomers coach Brian Goorjian has reiterated Simmons should show himself worthy of becoming a member of the staff.
“This is very important,” Goorjian advised ESPN earlier in August.
“In my dealings with Ben, it’s always been: I’m not recruiting you. It’s important for the country [to know], we’re not going, ‘please, Ben, please, we don’t have anything if you don’t play’. We’re not like that at all.
“It’s like, you’re fantastic, and you’re a great player and the country loves you, and the country wants you in green and gold, and our team does.”
Of course, Simmons’ Olympic aspirations will solely include a totally wholesome season.
The Nets star insists he’s a world away from the participant he was final season, not less than within the bodily sense.
“The version I’m at now, if I was playing against myself from last season, I would kill him,” Simmons stated.
“That’s how I feel.”
