Philadelphia 76ers guard Ben Simmons (25) passes the ball as Toronto Raptors forward Kawhi Leonard (2) and teammate Fred VanVleet (23) look on during first half NBA Eastern Conference semifinal action in Toronto on Sunday, May 12, 2019. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)
SYDNEY — Ben Simmons is set to play for Australia after confirming in an online video “I’m going to be a Boomer for the upcoming events.”
Simmons’ NBA season ended when his Philadelphia 76ers were knocked out of the Eastern Conference semifinals on Kawhi Leonard’s Game 7-ending buzzer-beater for Toronto.
Simmons was criticized in Philadelphia for his lack of impact in the playoffs.
— Ben Simmons (@BenSimmons25) May 15, 2019
The NBA All-Star didn’t specify his list of upcoming events in the video he posted on Twitter — telling his followers to stay tuned — but it’s widely expected he’ll join the likes of Patty Mills, Andrew Bogut and Matthew Dellavedova in Australia’s squad for the FIBA World Cup which starts Aug. 31 in China.
Australia’s Boomers have never finished higher than fourth in the World Cup or Olympics but are growing in confidence with an increasing number of players in the NBA.
The Boomers are scheduled to play two warmups against the World Cup champion U.S. team in Melbourne, Australia, on Aug. 22 and 24.