Australian · Melbourne, Australia · Born 20 July 1996Australian basketball player who became youngest triple-double achiever in college basketball before being drafted first overall by Philadelphia 76ers in 2016
Ben Simmons was born in Melbourne, Australia in 1996. He attended Louisiana State University for one season and won the Naismith Award as national player of the year. He averaged 19.2 points, 11.8 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game — a triple-double-adjacent performance that reflected his unique skill set: a 6ft 10in player with the ball-handling and playmaking ability of a guard. He was the SEC Player of the Year and a consensus All-American. Philadelphia 76ers selected him first overall in the 2016 NBA Draft. His LSU season was one of the most individually spectacular in SEC history — yet LSU won only 19 games and lost in the first round of the NIT. The combination of elite individual statistics and team failure created ongoing discussion about how individual college performance translates to winning. His professional career was marked by controversy — particularly his refusal to shoot three-point shots despite the offensive system demanding range shooting — and eventually a contentious departure from Philadelphia. His college season, however, stands on its own as one of the most statistically unique in SEC history: a wing-sized player producing center-level rebounding alongside guard-level assists at a volume no previous SEC player had matched.
He became the first Australian player to be named SEC Freshman of the Year in college basketball.
How They Played
Simmons was a versatile 6'10" point guard who could handle the ball like a much smaller player and see the court exceptionally well. His combination of size, court vision, and passing ability made him a unique playmaker who could rebound and initiate fast breaks. He was an excellent finisher around the rim and demonstrated strong defensive potential with his length and athleticism.
Lasting Impact
Simmons helped establish LSU as a destination for elite basketball talent and demonstrated that international players could seamlessly transition to high-level American college basketball.
Career Honours
- Naismith Award (2016)
- SEC Player of Year
- Consensus All-American
- First overall pick 2016
| Club | Period | Apps |
|---|---|---|
| LSU Tigers | 2015–2016 | 19 |
 Australia | — | 5 |
Australian Athletes