What happened to Ben Simmons?: The mysteries surrounding his NBA journey

Ben Simmons is a forward and point guard in the NBA. With only a few years in the league, the athlete has risen to become a renowned player. However, his career has been marred with health challenges and indiscipline issues. What happened to Ben Simmons? Keep reading to find out.

Since he joined the NBA in 2016, Ben has played with the Philadelphia 76ers and the Brooklyn Nets. He has been on and off the court due to injuries that have made him miss significant games. What happened to Ben Simmons? Let us get into the details of his NBA journey.

Ben Simmons' background

Ben, known fully as Benjamin David Simons, was born in July 1996. The Australian native started playing at seven. At 15, Ben played for Boz Hill Senior Secondary College, representing them at the 2011 Australian Schools Championships. He later took up a scholarship at the Australian Institute of Sport in 2012 and represented his country at the FUBA Under-17 World Championship in the same year.

After high school, Simmons joined Louisiana State University (LSU( in 2013. As a freshman, he participated in a national tour with the LSU Tigers, averaging 20 points and nine rebounds per game. He led the team in all major statistics.

Ben's college performance saw Magic Johnson name him the best All-Round player since LeBron James. He later joined the NBA, foregoing his final three years of college eligibility.

Ben Simmons Sixers stay

In June 2016, Ben Simons was selected as the number one overall pick by the Philadelphia 76ers, famously known as the Sixers. He was the third Melbourne native to have the number one overall pick in 11 years after Andrew Bogut in 2005 and Kyrie Irving in 2011. Simmons was also the first college player selected in the first overall pick without playing in the NCAA tournament.

According to TheRichest.com, Ben Simmons signed a contract extension worth $177.2 million with the Philadelphia 76ers in 2019. He earned an estimated $26 million during his three years with the team. However, his earnings dropped significantly due to his severe absence from crucial games.

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In 2021, the professional point guard wanted to exit the franchise. After failed attempts to address his concerns, his decision remained, and he started discussions to move on to another team. Due to Ben's behaviour and dismal performance, the Phillies withheld his pay for the season. However, his agents blamed the team for not letting him go when he wanted to.

What happened to Ben Simmons?

During his draft year, Simmons broke his right ankle during the franchise's final training camp scrimmage. This injury saw him miss the 2016/2017 season altogether. He returned for his debut NBA season fit as a fiddle, and his impressive records saw him become the 2017/2018 Rookie of the Year.

Simmons continued with the 76ers until the 2021/2022 season. At the start of the season, rumours emerged that the Australian athlete planned to leave Philadelphia. The move came amidst complaints about his poor performance and inability to shoot during the playoffs.

Additionally, the 26-year-old missed numerous training sessions during the 2021/22 preseason games. This negligence led to a fine of $227,613 for every game he missed. The penalty kept him from returning to the team, and he was suspended for malpractice and ill-treatment of his teammates.

Ben appealed this action, citing the mental health clause, and the fines were temporarily stopped. Unfortunately, he failed to report to the resources availed to him. Attempts to seek a solution through the NBPA (National Basketball Players Association) proved futile, and the Sixers implemented their fine.

What happened to Ben Simmons' shooting?

Simmons has struggled to make shots outside the paint throughout his career, leading several sports enthusiasts to question his overall competence. According to Metroleague.org, the challenge could be due to his height (6 ft 11), favouring his defence and rebounds but not his shooting abilities.

Why does Ben Simmons not shoot threes?

Ben's weight likely affects his mobility and causes his inability to get into a comfortable position to shoot a three-pointer. However, his shooting mechanic could be the greatest challenge because he shoots from a low release point, making it easier to block his shots. Some experts have claimed he can overcome this with consistent practice, which could also be one of his primary challenges.

Ben Simmons' current team

Netizens have wondered, ''Where is Ben Simmons now?'' After a controversial exit from the Sixers, Simmons signed with the Brooklyn Nets in February 2022 at the start of the season. Unfortunately, he suffered a back injury that saw him miss the season.

His Nets debut was in October 2022. Shortly afterward, he suffered back inflammation and knee soreness, which strained him throughout the year. In March 2023, the franchise announced, through coach Jacque Vaughn, that Simmons had been diagnosed with a nerve impingement in his back and would be out indefinitely as he undergoes rehab. However, the team has assured Ben Simmons of support as he works toward full recovery.

Ben Simmons' net worth

Ben was once rated among the fastest-rising NBA players. Ben Simmons' Nets contract is worth $113.6 million if he remains in top form. How much money is Ben Simmons worth? According to Celebrity Net Worth, Ben is worth $8 million. The amount has declined severely due to fines imposed on him for breach of contract through absence.

NBA fans have been wondering what happened to Ben Simmons. His professional career has had controversies and health issues. As medical experts work to restore his health, fans will be eager to see the return of the once-promising player and how his career progresses.

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Magic Johnson, Damian Lillard, and Steve Nash are some of the outstanding point guards the NBA has seen. Magic is remembered for his 42-point performance in Game 6 of the 1980 NBA Finals for the Lakers. Damian is famous for striking from any part of the floor. Check out the above article for the complete list of incredible point guards in the NBA.