Sixers Take Simmons No. 1 In NBA Draft

The Philadelphia 76ers snapped up the Melbourne-born basketballer at pick number one in the 2016 NBA Draft, making him the first Aussie to go first since Andrew Bogut went to the Milwaukee Bucks back in 2005.

In an interview with Ben Simmons after landing the number 1 pick in the NBA Draft 2016, he said “Honestly, it feels like all this pressure just has dropped off me.I can relax now that I know where I’m going to be”.

It was no surprise that the Australian was picked first as the 76ers had announced it earlier in the day. They took a big kid from Australia who has played one year in a bad college conference on a team that was virtually un-coached who can not now fill the role of a stretch-4 in The New NBA. There’s been a lot of talk that Simmons is going to change the face of the franchise.

Simmons, in his one-and-done freshman season, was the first player in Southeastern Conference history to finish in the top five in the league in points, rebounds and assists.

“We’ve had rivalries since we were seven years old”.

It was the Lakers’ first pick in the post-Kobe Bryant era.

Simmons had been projected to reach the accomplishment of being the NBA’s top pick even before he played a college game. Simmons is an excellent play maker and rebounding forward. “Definitely. I believe I can be a point forward”.

“I think coach Brown is a very passionate coach and loves the sport and is very detailed”, Dave said.

He is a superb ball handler for his size and is an excellent passer.

Ben Simmons (R) is congratulated by NBA Commissioner Adam Silver (L) after getting drafted.

Slightly more than three minutes later, Simmons was officially a 76er. “I think taking my time (will allow me to develop into a point guard)”.

They won 10 games last season, while the Detroit Pistons, who nabbed the east’s final play-off berth, finished with 44 wins.

Sixers coach Brett Brown, who has known Simmons since birth after coaching Simmons’ dad, David, called landing Simmons “a small element of relief, a huge element of excitement for our city”.

Considering the population of Australia and the sport’s popularity being considerably less than both rugby codes, Aussie rules, and soccer, the academy’s ability to churn out successful players is impressive. Brown coached Simmons’ father, David, in Australia, and has known Ben Simmons for many years.

“I remember Ben having a very good appetite for wanting to become better and developing a broad range of skills”, he said. “The best way to characterize him is just as a basketball player”. The 76ers are a curious mix of potential – recent draft choices Jahlil Okafor, Joel Embiid and Nerlens Noel – and placeholders in search of a real star willing to take charge.

Simmons did not work out with the 76ers until Tuesday. He also can drive to the basket and has an NBA-ready body to play physically underneath.

The Utah Jazz traded the rights to guard Isaiah Whitehead, the 42nd pick, to the Brooklyn Nets for guard Marcus Paige, the No. 55 pick, and cash considerations. “Every game I step into I’m trying to win”.

The Sixers were the only National Basketball Association team Simmons worked out with prior to the draft.

It helps having a mentor like LeBron James in his corner-the two are part of the same agency.