Meet the real Ben Simmons, courtesy of ask.fm
Remember using ask.fm back in 2013 when it was trending? Well, so did Ben Simmons. Long before becoming the #1 draft pick and an NBA all-star, Ben was a typical high school sophomore answering ask.fm questions. Several snippets that provide an insight into the real Ben Simmons feature below, with his full profile at: https://ask.fm/BenSimmons25.
July 17, 2013
Well that's reassuring to know for Aussie basketball fans. Hopefully Ben can suit up in Tokyo and help the Boomers push for a medal. Despite recently skipping the FIBA World Cup, Simmons has stated he wants to compete at the 2020 Olympics. His last game for the national team was way back in 2013.
June 22, 2013
Looks like we have a comedian here.
June 12, 2013
No surprises here. Ben has drawn comparisons to LeBron with his passing ability, size and athleticism. Simmons has previously referred to King James as a "big brother", and LeBron appears to feel the same way. In 2016 Ben chose to be represented by Klutch Sports, prior to entering the NBA draft. Klutch Sports is headed by LeBron's close personal friend Rich Paul, furthering the connection between Ben and his idol.
June 10, 2013
Simmons and Exum go way back. They grew up together in Melbourne and rose up the basketball ranks almost in parallel. Both are sons of NBL stalwarts from the USA who emigrated to Australia. The throwback photo below shows how close Ben and Dante are, playing video games together as kids in suburban Melbourne.
These future NBA draftees weren't just playing video games though. In 2012 Exum and Simmons joined forces for the Australian Under-17 team. They reached the final of the FIBA Under-17 world championships, losing only to the USA. Dante produced one of the highlight plays of the tournament, with a nasty spin move to set up Ben's dunk below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kMzs04FiAhs
They teamed up again in 2013 for the Boomers in the FIBA Oceania Championships, playing against New Zealand. As teenagers among men, they received minimal playing time, but nonetheless showed some athleticism in a training camp dunk contest (see below).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JP7YlsFNGRI
June 12, 2013
Simmons might've been a star ruckman with his athleticism and 6'10 frame. He briefly played for Beverley Hills Junior Football Club in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs, even winning his league's best and fairest award at age 13. Ben was also a close friend of Christian Petracca, who now plays for the Melbourne Demons. Petracca was a promising basketball junior, playing alongside Simmons while developing his burgeoning AFL career.
April 20, 2013
Yet another Bombers fan in the NBA, joining Dante Exum and Andrew Bogut. Simmons recently attended a game during the NBA offseason, reaffirming his support for Essendon.
April 10, 2013
If you watch some of Ben's old interviews, he sounds just like any other Australian. However, after moving to the states at age 16, he picked up an American accent. Simmons still sounds Aussie from time to time, but these days his accent is a hybrid at best.
June 22, 2013
Ben would've enjoyed the Blues' victory this year. Despite calling Melbourne his home town, Simmons also spent much of his childhood in Newcastle. His father, NBL stalwart David Simmons, played and coached in Newcastle for several years.
Being situated in a rugby league city, Ben would have had little choice but to pick up a Steeden. Simmons played junior rugby league for the South Newcastle Lions, where he was coached by a former Newcastle Knights premiership player in Marc Glanville.
The photo below shows Ben Simmons holding a Steeden and towering over his junior teammates.
February 23, 2013
It's no secret that Ben Simmons loves video games. Over the years he has streamed Call of duty, fortnite and PUBG. These days PUBG is his favourite, and he occasionally plays with peers such as Karl-Anthony Towns.
June 19, 2013
But he changes his mind...
July 25, 2013
Seth Rogen, James Franco, Jonah Hill and Danny McBride. What a cast.
June 12, 2013
Jonah Bolden's father (Bruce Bolden) played in the NBL alongside Ben's dad (David Simmons). Hence, Ben and Jonah go way back, and now play together on the Philadelphia 76ers.