Goorjian: Spot Open for Simmons

Tuesday, May 9, 2023

Despite his exclusion from the Australia’s extended FIBA World Cup squad, the door remains open for Ben Simmons to make an international return

Despite his exclusion from the Australia’s extended FIBA World Cup squad, the door remains open for Ben Simmons to make an international return, according to Boomers head coach Brian Goorjian.

Simmons has not represented Australia since 2013 – when he was just 16 years old – but has recently flagged his interest in linking up with the national team.

“We’ve made a spot for him if he’s available by the time of the Cairns camp,” Goorjian told SEN.

“He definitely wants to be a part of this and is working right now to get healthy.

“The communication’s been good, he’s in that frame of mind of wanting to be a part of this.

“He’s just trying to get healthy.”

Simmons is currently sidelined with a back injury after playing just 42 games – 33 starts in the 2022-23 NBA season.

He was traded from the Philadelphia 76ers in 2022, and has been plagued with persistent back issues over the past few seasons.

Over the weekend, Simmons said he was open to a return for the green and gold.

“I’m currently rehabilitating my back injury and putting my full effort and focus towards that,” Simmons told The Herald Sun.

“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.”