Australia's coach Goorjian: 'We're not going to beg Ben Simmons' / News - Basketnews.com

Australia's head coach, Brian Goorjian, emphasizes a respectful and non-desperate approach in inviting Ben Simmons back to the national team, focusing on mutual benefit and positive team culture.

Credit: Getty Images via AFP - Scanpix Credit Getty Images via AFP - Scanpix

Australia's head coach, Brian Goorjian, has made it clear that the Boomers won't plead with Ben Simmons to join the national team.

Goorjian emphasized that their approach is not about recruitment.

"In my dealings with Ben, it's always been: I'm not recruiting you," the Boomers' head coach told Olgun Uluc of ESPN. "It's important for the country [to know], we're not going, 'please, Ben, please, we don't have anything if you don't play.' We're not like that at all."

Simmons, who hasn't played for the Australian NT since 2013, faced disappointment for not making the 2014 World Cup team, leading to strained relations with Basketball Australia. Despite previous commitments to events like the Rio Olympics in 2016, the 2019 FIBA World Cup, and the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, Simmons didn't follow through on any.

Goorjian believes there's a mutual benefit, offering Simmons an opportunity to thrive in a supportive team environment.

"It's like, you're fantastic, and you're a great player, and the country loves you, and the country wants you in green and gold, and our team does," Goorjian said.

"But, in turn, this is really good for you. Because you get to walk through these doors and drop everything behind and be you, and play with your mates in a great culture," the 70-year-old continued. "I look at it that way, that this is gonna be a really good opportunity for him, and that I and the guys on the team, we care about him. We want him to have a great career.

"You need this.

"And, in turn, if you're Ben Simmons, and if you play like Ben Simmons on this team, with that culture, you're gonna take us to somewhere the team's never been. That's my goal in all of this."

Simmons could join the national team next year in Paris Olympics. He intends to play there.

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