Ben Simmons could suit up to play for Australia at the FIBA World Cup this year, says team coach Brian Goorjian.
“I think his (Ben’s) mindset is getting healthy, getting in shape, and getting ready to play,” Goorjian told 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 is currently ranked No. 3 in the FIBA rankings and took home the bronze at the Tokyo Olympics. With the second round of the 32-team tournament slated to start this August, Simmons’ availability will be a massive boost for his national team.
Australia is in Group E with Finland, Germany, and Japan, with the games set to be played in Okinawa. Speaking about his Tokyo Olympics miss, Goorijan said: “There were unfortunate circumstances (he missed the Tokyo Olympics), but I feel like he is going to make himself available.”
Simmons has been a pale shadow of himself for the last two seasons. He averaged 6.9 points, 6.3 rebounds and 6.1 assists in 42 games this season for Brooklyn — his career-lowest, and now the hope is that playing some competitive basketball before the next NBA season, where his future remains uncertain, would be a surefire way to get some game time under his belt.
Ben Simmons Believes He Can Return To His All-Star Form
Criticism and trolls aside, it’s heartening to see Simmons believe that he can return to his All-Star form in the next season.
Per the New York Post: “The group around Ben has noticed a complete change in Ben’s focus and mentality [through] this rehab and how he has attacked it and engaged with everything and there is a lot of belief in him being able to return to his All-Star form.”
It would be a massive boost of confidence for the young guard to see some good times come his way. It has been a tumultuous season for him in the Nets camp, and hopefully, some action at the FIBA World Cup will see him regain his mojo. There’s work to be done on both ends of the floor, but if his mind is in a good place, then his basketball skills will automatically see an upgrade.
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