Ben Simmons is set to pull out of the Tokyo Olympics – dealing Australia’s medal hopes a devastating blow
Australian basketball superstar Ben Simmons is unlikely to play in the Tokyo Olympics.
It comes after the 24-year-old saw his NBA season finish in disappointing fashion, with the Philadelphia 76ers beaten by Atlanta in their Eastern Conference semi-final series.
The point guard also didn’t feature in the 2016 Olympics in Brazil or the 2019 Basketball World Cup.
Simmons’ expected absence in Japan is a significant blow to the medal chances of the Boomers.
Australian basketball superstar Ben Simmons (pictured right) is unlikely to play in the Tokyo Olympics as he weighs up his NBA future
ESPN’s Brian Windhorst tweeted Simmons has chosen to focus on ‘working on skill development in his NBA off-season rather than represent his country in Japan.
Simmons is contracted with Philadelphia to the end of the 2024-25 NBA season, but may consider options elsewhere after the 76ers were bundled out of the finals.
He won’t be short of suitors, with San Antonio, Portland, Washington, Houston and Toronto all said to be watching on with interest.