NBA top draft pick Simmons undergoes surgery on broken foot

Ben Simmons. AP FILE PHOTO

LOS ANGELES—The Philadelphia 76ers said Tuesday number one draft pick Ben Simmons has undergone surgery to repair a fractured metatarsal expected to keep him out of the start of the new NBA season.

Simmons, chosen first in the draft, suffered the fracture in his right foot on Friday after landing awkwardly on the foot of a team-mate.

READ: NBA: No.1 draft pick Simmons breaks foot

The Australian 20-year-old was operated on by top foot surgeon Martin O’Malley in New York, with early results reported to be encouraging, the 76ers said.

“Our sports performance and medical staff was debriefed by Dr. O’Malley following the procedure, and we were encouraged by the positive feedback,” said 76ers Director of Performance Research and Development David T. Martin.

“Moving forward, a comprehensive return to court program will be implemented for Ben, and we will closely monitor his progress throughout the rehabilitation process.”

Simmons is the 76ers’ first top overall pick since Allen Iverson in 1996. The playmaker from Melbourne is also the third Australian-born player to be chosen as the number one pick in the draft, joining Kyrie Irving (2011) and Andrew Bogut (2005).

Simmons is the Sixers’ fourth straight first-round acquisition to be sidelined by injury in his rookie season.

Nerlens Noel, taken in the 2013 draft, missed his first year with a torn knee ligament.

Joel Embiid, the third overall pick in 2014, has yet to play after surgeries to repair an injury to the navicular bone in his right foot.