Ben Simmons (b. Benjamin David Simmons on July 20, 1996) is an Australian professional basketball player, best known for his tenure with the Philadelphia 76ers in the NBA. Born in the Melbourne suburb of Fitzroy, Ben grew up alongside his five siblings. His father, an African-American expatriate, played basketball for Oklahoma City University, and raised his son with a love for the game.
As Ben grew up in Newcastle, he began playing basketball at a young age. As a sophomore in high school, Ben relocated to the US to improve his game. He played college basketball for Louisiana State University. In 2016, he entered the NBA Draft. The 76ers selected Ben as the overall No. 1 draft pick. Since then, he has flirted with greatness, becoming a three-time NBA All-Star. However, in August 2021, his frustrations with the team reached a boiling point. He held out from playing with the team, resulting in more than $10 million in fines for missed games.