Ben Simmons has a strong chance of playing for Australia in World Cup / News - Basketnews.com

Australia national team head coach Brian Goorjian says there's a strong chance Ben Simmons will play in the upcoming World Cup.

Credit: AP-Scanpix Credit AP-Scanpix

The long wait to see Ben Simmons play again for Australia could end this summer with Boomers coach Brian Goorjian revealing "there is a really strong chance that he plays" at the FIBA Basketball World Cup.

Ben Simmons

MIN:26.3PTS:6.93 (54.11%)REB:6.26As:6.1ST:1.29BL:0.55TO:2.31GM:42ProfileNBA2022/2023

Australia, No. 3 in the FIBA World Ranking and the bronze medal winners at the Tokyo Olympics - their first podium finish at a Summer Games or a World Cup - will need all hands on deck just to reach the Second Round at the 32-team tournament being staged in the Philippines, Japan, and Indonesia from August 25 to September 10.

At Saturday'sFIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 Draw presented by Wanda in Manila, Australia ended up in Group E with Finland, Germany, and Japan, with the games to be played in Okinawa. Some consider the group as the "Group of Death", spelling how tough the road could be for the Boomers.

Simmons, 26, the first overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft by the Philadelphia 76ers and one of the most talented players ever to hail from Down Under, played for his country's senior national team, in an official competition, at the2013 FIBA Oceania Championship, shortly before his 17th birthday.

Ben SimmonsCredit FIBA

His professional career, after a standout high school stint at Montverde Academy and one year at Louisiana State University, has been full of highs and lows.

Named the NBA Rookie of the Year in 2018, Simmons has since been a three-time NBA All-Star and two-time NBA All-Defensive First Team Selection.

He has endured his share of injuries, however. Simmons missed the entire 2021-22 season after having a back operation.

Simmons had a difficult divorce from Philadelphia, who traded him to Brooklyn in February of 2022. Simmons played 42 games this season for Brooklyn, but injuries led to the Nets shutting him down before the playoffs.

"I think his (Ben's) mindset is getting healthy, getting in shape, and getting ready to play,"Goorjian said to SEN Radio.

"And I think he has been along that line for a while, and I felt it last time.

"As we sit now, I think there is a really strong chance (that he plays at the World Cup)."

Australia had hoped that he might represent the country at theRio de Janeiro Games, the2019 World Cup,and theTokyo Olympics, but for different reasons, it never happened.

"There were unfortunate circumstances (he missed the Tokyo Olympics), but I feel like he is going to make himself available," Goorjian said.

Simmons' Australian colleagues in the NBA have been supportive throughout his career, especially Nets teammate Pat Mills.

Playing for his country this summer at the World Cup could be just what Simmons needs to spark his career to life, feel positive vibes and help get his career back on track.

Like what we are doing? Support us by becoming BN+ member.