The 29-year-old former all-NBA star with the Philadelphia 76ers is putting potential return on hold to join fishing championship.<\/p>\n
Published Dec 24, 2025 \u00a0\u2022\u00a0 Last updated 9\u00a0minutes ago \u00a0\u2022\u00a0 3 minute read<\/p>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n You can save this article by registering for free here<\/a>. Or sign-in<\/a> if you have an account.<\/p>\n The latest twist in the winding career of former NBA first-overall pick Ben Simmons has taking a turn out to sea.<\/p>\n Advertisement 2<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY<\/p>\n Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.<\/p>\n Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account.Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on.Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists.Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists.Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.<\/p>\n SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES<\/p>\n Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.<\/p>\n Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account.Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on.Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists.Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists.Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.<\/p>\n REGISTER \/ SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES<\/p>\n Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.<\/p>\n Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.<\/p>\n THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.<\/p>\n Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.<\/p>\n Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authors<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n The three-time all-star is putting a potential NBA comeback on hold to try his hand at professional fishing.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Simmons, a defensive standout and all-NBA star, has purchased a controlling share in the South Florida Sails Angling Club, a member of the 16-team Sport Fishing Championship.<\/p>\n \u201cThe way I see it, it\u2019s like the new F1 (Formula 1) for fishing. The new LIV Golf for fishing,\u201d Simmons told Andscape last week<\/a>. \u201cThe first real competitive sport fishing championship. It\u2019s a league of 16 teams, which is growing and expanding. And so, we\u2019ll go out there and compete in various different tournaments, and there\u2019ll be a champion crowned at the end.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a very niche sport and if you don\u2019t know, you don\u2019t know. But once you experience it and get out there and see what it\u2019s about, you\u2019re kind of in awe of what the sport is. And that\u2019s just something I\u2019ve always been interested in in terms of the sport of fishing. The technique. There\u2019s so much to it that people just don\u2019t understand.<\/p>\n We apologize, but this video has failed to load.<\/p>\n Play Video<\/p>\n \u201cThese guys are fishing on million-dollar vessels, and they\u2019re out for days at a time. So, it\u2019s tedious and gritty, but a lot of fun. It\u2019s one of those worlds where you just got to kind of experience it, get into it and see what it\u2019s about.\u201d<\/p>\n Your Midday Sun<\/p>\n Thanks for signing up!<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Advertisement 3<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Simmons finished the 2024-25 NBA season with the Los Angeles Clippers, appearing in 18 games after joining the team in February. But instead of angling for a new NBA contract, he has bought into the SFC, which also counts the likes of Scottie Scheffler, Austin Dillon and Raheem Mostert as sports celebrity team owners.<\/p>\n \u201cI have always believed that investing in what you love means you have a responsibility to help move it forward,\u201d Simmons told the SFC website<\/a>. \u201cSportfishing has given me incredible experiences, and SFC is creating a platform that treats offshore fishing like the elite sport it is.\u201d<\/p>\n Simmons\u2019 on-court issues<\/p>\n Simmons was selected first-overall in the 2016 NBA draft by the Philadelphia 76ers, going on to immediate stardom by winning the Rookie of the Year award.<\/p>\n Advertisement 4<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n But after making three all-star teams in his first four seasons with Philly, he held out through the entire 2021-22 season due to reported back and mental health issues.<\/p>\n He was traded to the Brooklyn Nets in February 2022, but only played 90 games over three seasons for the team and struggled mightily when he was on the floor, averaging just 6.5 points, 6.3 assists and 6.2 rebounds per game<\/a> before being bought out in February 2025.<\/p>\n Simmons, who owns a 53-foot Scout centre console boat named \u201cThe Real One Fishing Club Boat,\u201d has earned more than US$200 million through his NBA career.<\/p>\n Will he make a comeback?<\/p>\n While pro fishing currently is his priority, Simmons has said<\/a> that a return to the NBA could still happen this season \u2014 likely after the all-star break and only if the right opportunity presents itself.<\/p>\n Advertisement 5<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Read More<\/p>\n Raptors earn a much-needed win in Miami following two dispiriting losses in a row<\/p>\n![\"Former](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/1225-ben-simmons-fishing.jpg\")
Former NBA all-star Ben Simmons is taking up professional fishing. InstagramArticle content<\/p>\n![\"Toronto](\"https:\/\/dcs-static.gprod.postmedia.digital\/20.2.3\/websites\/images\/identity\/logo-identity-tsun.svg\"){kind=logo}
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