NASHVILLE, TN – MARCH 11: Ben Simmons #25 of the LSU Tigers dribbles the ball during the game against the Tennessee Volunteers during the quarterfinals of the SEC Basketball Tournament at Bridgestone Arena on March 11, 2016 in Nashville, Tennessee. Andy Lyons/Getty Images/AFP
Australia’s Ben Simmons appears set to be chosen by the Philadelphia 76ers with the top selection in Thursday’s NBA Draft, based on reports and his own actions.
The 19-year-old forward from Melbourne, who played US college basketball last season at Louisiana State, has been told by the 76ers that he will be their choice with the top pick, ESPN and Cleveland.com reported Tuesday.
Simmons, who has the same agent as new three-time NBA champion LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers, has been working out in the Ohio city ahead of the draft.
His only workout for a club was a private session Tuesday for the 76ers, with Simmons saying was in Philadelphia to “introduce myself.”
Simmons also posted a photo of himself to Instagram in a 76er practice jersey working out with the caption “trust the process.”
The 76ers have not had the top pick in the NBA Draft since they chose star guard Allen Iverson in 1996.