Ben Simmons

Ben Simmons – Life, Career, and Famous Quotes

Discover the life, career, and famous sayings of Ben Simmons — from his Melbourne roots to NBA stardom, achievements, struggles, and legacy as an Australian basketball icon.

Introduction

Ben Simmons is an Australian professional basketball player born on July 20, 1996, who rose to prominence through sheer versatility, elite defensive instinct, and an all-around style of play. Though occasionally controversial, his journey—from Melbourne to the NBA—offers insights into talent, pressure, and resilience. Today, Simmons remains one of the most discussed athletes in basketball, with lessons that extend beyond the court.

Early Life and Family

Benjamin David Simmons was born in Fitzroy, a suburb of Melbourne, Australia, to parents Dave and Julie Simmons. His father, Dave Simmons, is a U.S.-born former basketball player who moved to Australia and played in the National Basketball League (NBL). His mother, Julie, is Australian, and Simmons grew up as part of a large blended family.

Although born in Melbourne, Simmons spent much of his early childhood in Newcastle from age 18 months while his father played and coached there. He began playing basketball around age seven for local youth teams, including the Newcastle Hunters. When he was ten, his family moved back to Melbourne, and he played for the Knox Raiders as a junior.

In his youth, Simmons also tried his hand at Australian Rules Football and rugby, but by his early teens he gravitated fully toward basketball. He attended Whitefriars College and was involved in school-level basketball success early on.

His father’s basketball background gave Simmons early exposure to professional-level thinking about the game, helping nurture his basketball IQ and discipline from a young age.

Youth and Education

In his mid-teens, Simmons’s talent began to draw wider attention. At about age 15, he earned a scholarship to the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS). That same year, he appeared in the 2012 FIBA Under-17 World Championship for Australia, helping the team to a silver medal.

Seeking more rigorous competition, Simmons moved to the United States in 2013 to attend Montverde Academy in Florida, a renowned basketball prep school. At Montverde, he became a dominant force, helping the team to national high school titles, earning MVP honors, and putting up high averages in points, rebounds, assists, and defensive stats.

By the end of high school, he was widely recognized as a five-star recruit, frequently ranked the No. 1 overall player and premier power forward in his class.

In 2015, Simmons committed to Louisiana State University (LSU) for his college season. His college year was outstanding: he averaged roughly 19.2 points, 11.8 rebounds, 4.8 assists, and 2 steals per game, earning first-team All-SEC, SEC Freshman of the Year, and consensus All-American honors. However, LSU did not make the NCAA tournament, and after one year Simmons declared for the 2016 NBA Draft.

Simmons’s time in college (just one year) is even referenced in the documentary One & Done, which explores his journey, the NCAA’s structure, and his perspective as a top prospect.

Career and Achievements

NBA Entry and Philadelphia 76ers (2016–2022)

Simmons was selected 1st overall in the 2016 NBA Draft by the Philadelphia 76ers, becoming the third Melbourne-born player to be chosen first in 11 years (alongside Andrew Bogut and Kyrie Irving). Unfortunately, he missed the entire 2016–17 season due to a foot injury (a fractured fifth metatarsal) sustained in training camp.

In 2017–18, in his rookie season, Simmons burst into the league. In his NBA debut he posted 18 points and 10 rebounds, and soon after notched a triple-double, joining elite company. He recorded multiple triple-doubles and became the only player in NBA history to begin a season with at least 170 points, 100 rebounds, and 80 assists in the first ten games. At season’s end, he was named NBA Rookie of the Year and was placed on the All-Rookie First Team.

In the 2018–19 season, Simmons earned his first NBA All-Star nod (2019), becoming the first Australian to make the All-Star team. He continued to showcase his playmaking, rebounding, and court vision.

His best years arguably came in the 2019–20 season: Simmons led the league in steals, was named to the All-NBA Third Team, and earned a spot on the NBA All-Defensive First Team.

Nonetheless, weaknesses in his shooting—particularly free throws and three-point attempts—were persistent. In the 2020–21 playoffs, Simmons’s struggles at the free-throw line drew heavy criticism. His free throw shooting percentage in that postseason dropped to historically low levels, and in several Game 7s he attempted zero field goal attempts in critical stretches.

Following that, Simmons requested a trade from Philadelphia, citing dissatisfaction with team dynamics and role.

Brooklyn Nets (2022–2025)

On February 10, 2022, Simmons was traded to the Brooklyn Nets as part of a blockbuster deal that included James Harden. Injuries—particularly to his back—plagued his tenure with Brooklyn. His performance declined, and in February 2025, the Nets executed a buyout and waived him.

Los Angeles Clippers (2025)

Shortly after being waived, Simmons signed a one-year deal with the Los Angeles Clippers for roughly $1.08 million (the veteran minimum). In his debut for the Clippers, he recorded 12 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 steals, and 1 block in an overtime win over Utah.

Historical Milestones & Context

• Simmons was the #1 overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft.

• He was named NBA Rookie of the Year in 2018.

• He became a three-time NBA All-Star (2019, 2020, 2021).

• In 2020 he led the NBA in steals and was named to All-NBA Third Team and NBA All-Defensive First Team.

• Simmons’s decline in Brooklyn and his back injuries marked a steep challenge in what could have been sustained prime years.

• His signing with the Clippers in 2025 signaled a new chapter, albeit under different expectations.

Legacy and Influence

Ben Simmons’s path is a compelling one: a 6′10″ guard-forward hybrid, he challenged traditional positional boundaries. His elite passing, defensive versatility, and ability to guard multiple positions influenced how modern basketball views positional fluidity.

For Australian basketball, Simmons is among the most high-profile exports to the NBA, following in the footsteps of players like Andrew Bogut and in parallel to contemporaries like Patty Mills and Joe Ingles. His success helped spotlight Australian youth pathways to elite competition.

Yet his legacy will also include debate: the tension between his strengths (court vision, defense) and deficiencies (shooting consistency, mental composure under pressure). He exemplifies a generation of players whose value is not just scoring.

In the eyes of many young athletes, Simmons stands as proof that unconventional skill sets can succeed, though not without resilience and adaptation. His career is still unfolding, and how he responds in his later years will further shape his legacy.

Personality and Talents

Simmons is often described as basketball-intelligent, introspective, and somewhat reserved off the court—letting his play speak louder than words.

His defining talents:

• Playmaking & vision: Simmons often views the game more through facilitating than scoring. He has said, “If I don’t need to shoot the ball, I won’t do it.”

• Defensive versatility: With his size and lateral speed, Simmons can guard guards through forwards, switch across matchups, and disrupt passing lanes.

• Rebounding instincts: As a guard-forward hybrid, he often contributes strong rebounding totals for his position.

• Mental resilience: His career has been punctuated by injuries, criticism, and public scrutiny. How he handles adversity is a key part of his narrative.

Off court, Simmons has had public relationships (e.g. Maya Jama), endorsement deals (notably with Nike), and has occasionally commented on broader topics. He’s also been critical of aspects of how the NCAA treats athletes, as explored in One & Done.

Famous Quotes of Ben Simmons

Here are some memorable quotes attributed to Simmons:

“I just play the game, and I enjoy it.”
“It’s great to be compared to a great player like Tracy McGrady, but I think I’m my own type of player.”
“If I don’t need to shoot the ball, I won’t do it.”
“I feel I can win the game without scoring 30 points.”

These quotes reflect Simmons’s mindset: grounded in team play, self-awareness about his strengths, and an acceptance of his style—even when it diverges from conventional star expectations.

Lessons from Ben Simmons

1. Redefine what a star can be
   Simmons shows that you don’t have to be a volume scorer to impact winning—elite playmaking and defense matter just as much.

2. Strengths & weaknesses coexist
   Even very talented players carry liabilities. In Simmons’s case, shooting is a well-documented limit. Acknowledging and attempting to improve weaknesses is crucial.

3. Resilience under scrutiny
   Public and media pressure intensify in professional sports. Maintaining mental toughness through injuries and criticism is part of the journey.

4. Adaptability is key
   Changing teams, roles, or physical capabilities demands adaptation. His later career will test his ability to evolve as the game and his body change.

5. Legacy is still being written
   At his age, Simmons still has opportunities to reshape how he is remembered—this can inspire others to keep evolving, not resigning to a narrative.

Conclusion

Ben Simmons’s story is not just about highlight reels or controversies; it’s about a high-potential athlete navigating the tension between unique strengths and glaring weaknesses under intense spotlight. From Melbourne to LSU to the NBA, his path has included triumphs and trials. His legacy will likely be one of nuance: a reminder that greatness can take many forms, and that the full measure of an athlete often lies in how they adapt, persevere, and mature.

If you want a deep dive into his statistics, comparisons with contemporaries, or a year-by-year breakdown, I’d be glad to provide it.