Boomers coach Brian Goorjian has put the ball in Ben Simmons’ hands ahead of the World Cup, saying the divisive NBA All-Star has a “great chance” for a shock return.
After missing the entire 2021-2022 campaign following back surgery, Simmons pulled the knot early in a disappointing Brooklyn season with back and knee problems.
But the 26-year-old is not expected to have surgery and on Friday [AEST] posted a photo Instagram sitting poolside on what appears to be a tropical retreat.
Bronze at the 2021 Games in Tokyo was Australia’s first international silverware and, with or without Simmons, they will be among the favorites to compete in the August and September World Cup.
Simmons has not been part of Boomers campaigns at recent World Cup or Olympics events, but has raised his hand for the 2023 World Championships
Boomers coach Brian Goorjian, pictured hugging star point guard Patty Mills after their historic bronze medal performance in Tokyo, has left the door open for Simmons
The Boomers already have a star-studded back half, including Mills (pictured center), meaning Simmons can play as a forward or center for the Boomers
A fit Simmons could play as a specialist forward or as part of a Boomers’ backfield assembled by veteran Nets teammate Patty Mills and second-year NBA star Josh Giddey, putting together arguably the most in-depth Australian team ever.
‘I think of him [Ben’s] mindset is getting healthy, getting in shape and being ready to play in this [World Cup],” Goorjian told SEN Radio.
“And I think he’s been on that line for a while and I felt it the last time.
“The way we are now, I think the chances are very high [that he plays at the World Cup].’
The Melbourne-born, three-time All-Star has never played for Australia at a World Cup or Olympics for various reasons.
The precocious talent was dropped from the 2014 Cup final roster before opting out of the 2016 Olympics to focus on his rookie NBA season.
While a fit Ben Simmons would be a great asset to the Boomers, he’s spent more time on the sidelines than actually playing basketball in recent years.
Simmons flourished at Philadelphia as he pulled out of the 2019 World Cup after signing a rich five-year contract extension.
Then he missed out on the bronze-bringing Tokyo 2021 campaign as the out-of-form talent battled the fallout from a meek NBA post-season exit, eventually getting him traded to the Nets.
“There were unfortunate circumstances (why he didn’t play in Tokyo), but I feel like he’s going to make himself available,” said Goorjian.
“Our door is always open to him and during my time with the Boomers he has always been honest with me,” he said.
“But that was a very difficult situation (in Philadelphia) and he was working on change.
“It (the Boomers) just didn’t work, but now he’s in a situation where he’s getting his health back to be ready to play.”
Giddey was the toughest cut for the final squad for the Tokyo Olympics, but took it well and has developed into the type of world-beating player the Boomers are looking for
The Boomers are one of the top seeds for the 2023 World Cup and expectations are high that they will win another medal after their success in Tokyo
The Boomers will play pool games against Finland, Germany and fellow hosts Japan in Okinawa, with the final in the Philippines.
Australia climbed to a guaranteed medal at the World Cup in China four years ago, before taking a big lead against eventual champions Spain in the semi-finals and then France again in the bronze medal game.
Largely the same squad broke the hoodoo in Tokyo.
But since then, Giddey, who was overlooked for that team, has stormed onto the NBA scene, and Dyson Daniels, Josh Green, and Jock Landale have also made their way to the United States.
Joe Ingles returned from a long-term knee injury with the Bucks this year, while Matisse Thybulle, Xavier Cooks, Nic Kay, Jack White, Aron Baynes, Chris Goulding, Matthew Dellavedova and Dante Exum provide Goorjian with a swollen pool of world-class talent and experience.