Simmons was once excluded from the Australian national team roster.
The Australian national team announced 18 preliminary entries for the 2023 FIBA World Cup, which will be held from August 25 on the 8th (Korean time)먹튀검증.
Australia, ranked third in the FIBA rankings, is one of the world’s leading basketball powerhouses. In this World Cup, they are placed in Group E along with Japan, Germany and Finland. Australia’s group stage match will be held in Okinawa, Japan.
As a world-class powerhouse, this preliminary entry member is also quite solid. Of the 18 players, 10 are current NBA leaguers. Among them, there are veterans with thick bones in the national team, such as Patty Mills and Joe Ingles, and young blood such as 203cm tall guard Josh Giedy and New Orleans rookie Dyson Daniels.
Australia’s coach Brian Gurjian expressed his feelings about the entry, saying, “They are well balanced throughout the entry. The fact that the selection process was very difficult shows the depth of talent in Australian basketball.”
While the splendid roster was revealed, the name of former NBA All-Star Ben Simmons was omitted from the preliminary entry. In a recent interview, head coach Gurjian openly commented on Simmons’ possibility of participating in the World Cup, drawing attention.
“I think Ben Simmons’ mindset is geared towards getting fit and ready to play,” Gurdian said. high,” said Simmons.
Although left out of the reserve, Simmons’ World Cup appearance has not been completely eliminated. Depending on his physical condition, there remains a possibility of being included in the final 12-man roster.
Simmons, who started his first full season in Brooklyn, had his worst season since his debut, with injuries and stagnation combined. In just 42 regular season appearances, Simmons averaged 6.9 points, 6.3 rebounds and 6.1 assists. He rarely recovers from his back injury and has not played in a real game since mid-February and is focusing on rehabilitation.
Nonetheless, coach Gurdjian wants Simmons to join the national team. Although he has a clear shooting weakness, guard Simmons, who is 211cm tall and can run, is still an attractive card. Despite his downfall, Simmons is the Australian player who left the most significant mark in the NBA.
Simmons, who first played for Australia’s senior national team in 2013, has been seldom joining the national team since his NBA debut. Simmons’ performance was not seen even in major competitions such as the World Cup and the Olympics.
Simmons, however, has left room for his national team appearances. In an interview last year, he said that not being able to participate in the Tokyo Olympics was the worst, and expressed his aspirations, saying, “Participating in the Paris Olympics is my dream.”