{"id":772997,"date":"2026-07-01T22:44:22","date_gmt":"2026-07-01T22:44:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/772997\/"},"modified":"2026-07-01T22:44:22","modified_gmt":"2026-07-01T22:44:22","slug":"ben-simmons-reveals-comeback-plan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/772997\/","title":{"rendered":"Ben Simmons reveals comeback plan"},"content":{"rendered":"

Australian star Ben Simmons is planning a return to basketball after spending a year away from the game and ‘finding himself again’.<\/p>\n

The 29-year-old former NBA No. 1 Draft pick remains one of the most talked-about players in world basketball. While he says he has no firm plan on where he’ll play next, he is determined to make a comeback.<\/p>\n

“I plan on getting as strong as I can physically, getting my arse on the court, and then the team realising that my abilities will be needed,\u201d Simmons said via Men\u2019s Health.<\/p>\n

“Maybe I’ll go back to Philly (Philadelphia) \u2026 Miami would be nice. And not because it’s Miami. I like Erik Spoelstra, I like the Heat, I like their organisation, I like the culture.”<\/p>\n

Despite a string of injury setbacks and his time away from the NBA, Simmons said his love for the game has never wavered.<\/p>\n

“I think this is just what I’m choosing to do, like, no one’s forcing me,” he continued.<\/p>\n

“It’s never been about, do I love playing basketball? That’s never a question. That’s in my DNA. I think sometimes you get over all the bulls*** … that comes with it, though.”<\/p>\n

The prospect of Simmons returning to Australia has been raised by NBL commentators Damon Lowery and Andrew Gaze, who have both urged the Melbourne-born star to consider playing in the league.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe number one overall pick in the Draft\u2026 the three-time NBA All-Star, the dude that made the NBA First Team All Defence twice \u2026 Ben Simmons,\u201d Lowery said in May.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat if a healthy Ben Simmons showed up in NBL27? Can you imagine? It would be carnage.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI think this [League] would be a great platform for him to come back and continue his career in basketball. He’s a superstar,\u201d Gaze said last month.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe’s an NBA All-Star, and provided his body is in the right shape and he’s comfortable where he’s at, he would dominate this competition.\u201d<\/p>\n

Simmons last played for the Los Angeles Clippers during the 2024\u201325 NBA Deason. He is a three-time NBA All-Star and former NBA Rookie of the Year.<\/p>\n

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