Simmons declares Paris Olympic dream

Australian basketball star Ben Simmons has declared he "100 per cent" wants to play for the Boomers at next year’s Paris Olympics.

Simmons hasn’t played for Australia since the 2013 FIBA Oceania Championship game against New Zealand. The 27-year-old has decided not to compete at two Olympics (2016, 2021) and two World Cups (2019, 2023).

However, the three-time NBA All-Star has reaffirmed his desire to represent Australia at the Olympics next year.

“Yeah, for sure. Olympics? Yeah, 100%. And that’s what I want to do next year,” Simmons told Andscape, after being asked if he has thought about playing for Australia at the Games.

“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.’

“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.”

Simmons is preparing for the upcoming NBA season with the Brooklyn Nets, where he is hopeful he can re-discover his best form and full health.

He played just 42 games for the Nets last season, where he averaged a career low 6.9 points, 6.3 rebounds and 6.1 assists per game.