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Australian basketball star Ben Simmons has decided not to play for the Boomers at the FIBA World Cup.
Basketball Australia confirmed the three-time NBA All-Star is unavailable for the tournament.
“Ben needs more time to focus on his rehab and he looks forward to being part of the Boomers in the future,” Basketball Australia’s tweet stated.
“We wish Ben all the best in his recovery.”
Simmons was once the most hyped basketball player in the country after becoming the number one pick in the 2016 NBA draft.
However a messy trade from Philadelphia in 2021 followed by his decision to snub the Boomers’ Tokyo Olympic squad resulted in a fall from grace for the 26-year-old.
He returned to action with Brooklyn, but was plagued by injury in the 2022-23 season.
Though Boomers coach Brian Goorjian had already named his 18-man squad, he left the door open for the Nets point guard’s potential return.
Australia’s World Cup journey will start on August 15 in Japan, with a squad that includes veterans Joe Ingles and Patty Mills, alongside young gun Josh Giddey.
The FIBA World Cup is a key qualification event for the 2024 Paris Olympics and is ideal preparation for the quadrennial showpiece.
AAP
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