Australian basketball fans have waited years to see Ben Simmons pull on the green and gold at the senior level, and according to decorated NBA journalist and Hall of Fame writer Marc J. Spears, that wait could finally be coming to an end.
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The three-time NBA All-Star, who is preparing to make his long-awaited return to the NBA with the Sacramento Kings after nearly 18 months away from the league, has made his intentions clear about representing Australia, with the 2027 FIBA World Cup in Qatar emerging as a genuine possibility.
Speaking exclusively to Fox Sports Australia ahead of the release of his upcoming documentary Being Ben, Spears revealed that Simmons has expressed his desire to represent the Boomers, with his recent minicamp in Melbourne potentially opening the door for a long-awaited international debut.
Ben Simmons at the Boomers' mini camp. Picture: @courtsidemelbourneSource: Instagram
“I do think from talking to Ben, like you don’t go to that mini camp unless you want to play in the team,” Spears told Fox Sports Australia.
“So I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s on the World Cup team next year. He told me straight out that he does want to play in the Olympic team.
“I do think there’s going to be a healing process between him and Australia. And to me, I think that was the first step.
“Don’t let me speak for your country on how they feel about him. But the fact that he went there for a mini camp, I think speaks volumes about what his interest is.”
Simmons’ relationship with Australian basketball fans has been complicated over the years, with the former number one pick withdrawing from several international tournaments and yet to represent the Boomers at the senior level.
However, Spears believes his decision to travel to Melbourne at his own expense, where he trained alongside members of the national team under head coach Adam Caporn, is the clearest indication yet that Simmons is serious about representing his country.
Australian Ben Simmons in the Boomers strip.Source: Supplied
“And I know it helped him tremendously, but you don’t fly on your own dime. They didn’t pay for him,” Spears said.
“So to me, I think this is the first time where I think you could strongly state that he wants to be a part of this team and he’s making the effort to be a part of this team.”
But while the minicamp may have opened the door to a future with the Boomers, Spears believes it also played an even bigger role in Simmons’ basketball career.
‘THAT AUSTRALIAN MINICAMP SAVED HIS CAREER’
After sitting out the entire 2025-26 NBA season while undergoing an extensive physical and mental rehabilitation process, Simmons faced an uncertain future in the league.
Ben Simmons #25 of the Sacramento Kings poses for a picture during the Kings Media Day at Sacramento Kings Practice Facility on September 28, 2026 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
Despite being a former three-time All-Star and one of the NBA’s best defenders during his prime, the Australian struggled to attract
genuine interest from teams, with Spears revealing that several organisations were unwilling to even watch him work out.
“His swag is back. His confidence is back. He knows how good he is and he’s just turned 30,” Spears said.
“And I’m gonna tell you this. It was amazing to me that nobody would come watch him in July. Nobody.
Ben Simmons responds to media criticsSource: News Sport Network
“I even had some teams call me and talk to me, but they’re like, ‘Eh, he’s done’.
“Nobody would go watch him. Like, isn’t it your job as an NBA team to go scout a player? He was a three-time All-Star. He was an All-NBA defensive player. Like, why would you not just go watch him work out?”
However, everything began to change when Simmons travelled to Australia and participated in the Boomers minicamp, with footage of the former All-Star impressing during training quickly spreading across social media.
For Spears, who has followed Simmons’ journey for more than a decade, that moment may have been the turning point that ultimately brought him back to the NBA.
“I truly believe that it was that Australian mini-camp that saved his career,” he said.
“Because until then nobody would go watch him out in Miami. Minnesota was flirting with it and Golden State was flirting with it. And New York Knicks were flirting with it, but they never actually went and watched him play.
“So then he goes to Australia, goes to the mini camp. He plays amazing.
Ben Simmons has posted this image to his Instagram . (Instagram)Source: Instagram
“I think there are a lot of NBA teams who should be ashamed of themselves for not simply just going there and watching him work out.
“He was available to all 30 teams.”
Now, Simmons is preparing to return to the NBA with Sacramento, with the Kings set to open their season against the Los Angeles Clippers next week.
But his comeback is about more than simply returning to the basketball court, with Spears’ upcoming documentary offering an insight into the challenges Simmons has faced throughout his career, including his controversial departure from Philadelphia.
‘FANS MIGHT LOOK AT THEM DIFFERENTLY’: NEW LIGHT ON UGLY 76ERS EXIT
One of the biggest talking points surrounding Simmons’ career remains his dramatic departure from the Philadelphia 76ers, where he spent the first four seasons of his NBA career.
Ben Simmons walks on stage after being drafted first overall by the Philadelphia 76ers in the first round of the 2016 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center on June 23, 2016 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
His relationship with the franchise deteriorated following the 2021 Eastern Conference semi-finals, where his decision to pass up a wide-open dunk in Game 7 against the Atlanta Hawks became one of the most scrutinised moments of his career.
What followed was a highly publicised fallout between Simmons and the organisation, eventually leading to his departure.
However, according to Spears, there is more to the story than what has previously been reported.
Ben Simmons of the Philadelphia 76ers passes the ball during the first half of the NBA game against the Phoenix Suns at Phoenix Suns Arena in Phoenix, Arizona.. (Photo by Christian Petersen / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / AFP)Source: AFP
Having spoken to Simmons and his former 76ers head coach Doc Rivers for the documentary, Spears revealed that he learned new details surrounding the breakdown of their relationship, suggesting fans could come away with a different perspective after watching.
“I don’t want to reveal it. You know what I’m saying? Like I don’t want to mess it up for the viewer,” Spears said.
“I learned something that I didn’t know. I think after watching it, I don’t want to do a spoiler alert.
Head coach Doc Rivers of the Philadelphia 76ers speaks with Ben Simmons #25 during the first quarter against the Los Angeles Lakers at Wells Fargo Center on January 27, 2021 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
“Fans might look at them differently after watching this. I think it will make more sense now.
“And so there is a little surprise where the ire was and ultimately the reason why he wanted out that I didn’t know and I was educated on myself.
“So I’m just gonna leave it like that. But I would say that the Philly part is about a third of the documentary. Very extensive.”
Spears, who has covered the NBA for more than three decades, believes Simmons faced a level of scrutiny that few players experience, particularly as an Australian entering the league with enormous expectations.
Joel Embiid #21 and Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers celebrate the win over the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center on April 20, 2019 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City.Source: AFP
From becoming the first non-American to win the prestigious national high school basketball player of the year award to being selected first overall in the 2016 NBA Draft, Simmons was constantly under the spotlight.
And while his talent was never in question during his early years, Spears believes the combination of injuries, outside pressure and criticism eventually took its toll.
Ben Simmons is interviewed after being drafted first overall by the Philadelphia 76ers in the first round of the 2016 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center on June 23, 2016 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City.Source: AFP
“I’ve never seen a really good story written about what it’s like to be an international player playing in NBA,” Spears said.
“He wasn’t playing in NBA, but to be a star, to be one that had a spotlight, Ben was the first non-American to win the award for the best high school basketball player in the United States.
“So that put an extreme hot spotlight on him going to LSU and not making the big college tournament, NCAA tournament was something that added more pressure. Being number one was more pressure, getting hurt.
Ben Simmons #25 of the LSU Tigers stands on the court after being charged with a technical foul in the game against the Texas A&M Aggies during the semifinals of the SEC Tournament at Bridgestone Arena on March 12, 2016 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
“The Philly crowd for Australians, if you don’t know, is probably about as tough as a crowd in America.
“They boo Santa Claus, they boo Beyonce, okay? So they might boo LeBron James if he don’t play great this season, right? They’re the toughest fans in sports.
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“I think all that took its toll. The injuries I think were more severe than a lot of people knew.”
“The media either loved him or despised him. And there’s no middle ground. And I’m sure that took its toll.”
Ben Simmons of the Brooklyn Nets looks on in the first half against the Philadelphia 76ers at Barclays Center on March 05, 2024 in New York City.Source: AFP
Looking back, Spears believes Simmons may have benefited from taking an extended break from basketball earlier in his career, rather than continuing to battle through the physical and mental challenges that followed him after Philadelphia.
“The break he took this year, I think he takes it in Brooklyn. He sits out in Brooklyn and does that break a couple seasons earlier and maybe we’re, you know, talking about something different now.”
THE MOMENT SPEARS KNEW SIMMONS WAS HEALTHY AGAIN
While the documentary explores some of the darkest moments of Simmons’ basketball journey, it also gives viewers a look at the Australian away from the court.
And for Spears, one of the biggest surprises came during a fishing trip off the coast of Key West, Florida, where Simmons owns a successful competitive fishing team.
“I kind of knew the love for fishing, but I didn’t know it was to that extent,” Spears said.
During filming, Simmons invited Spears and the documentary crew onto his boat for a trip into the Atlantic Ocean, where they spent eight hours fishing.
Australian basketballer Ben Simmons had a great day out on the Great Barrier Reef catching some fish while holidays at the WhitsundaysSource: Supplied
What started as an opportunity to learn more about Simmons’ life outside basketball quickly became one of the most memorable experiences of the documentary.
Spears, who has roots in Louisiana and is no stranger to fishing himself, admitted he was not quite prepared for Simmons’ approach to the sport.
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“We usually fish lakes and rivers, not Ben. Ben wants to go deep in the ocean, right? He wants to put his life in jeopardy,” Spears joked.
The trip even proved too much for one member of the production crew, with Spears revealing that their sound technician struggled with the conditions on the boat.
Ben Simmons owns fishing teamSource: Supplied
But it was Simmons’ determination to catch a sailfish, something he had never achieved before, that gave Spears a glimpse of the competitive fire that once made him one of the NBA’s most exciting young players.
“He was trying to get this fish. It was a really beautiful fish and he had never caught one. So he was determined to catch a sailfish and he finally got one on the hook, and this is when I knew he was healthy,” Spears said.
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“He raced around this boat with his fishing pole while the fish was trying to get away.
“He jumped engines, and went to the platform at the front of the boat, and I am like, ‘I don’t want to film the death of Ben Simmons’.
Ben Simmons fishing off the Queensland coast. Picture: InstagramSource: Instagram
“But that is when I said, ‘Okay, he’s healthy’.
“He caught the fish. So that was like a glimpse into his competitive fire, wanting to be victorious. And ultimately he was.
“And so that told me one, how competitive he was, and two, how healthy he was.”
For Spears, the experience reinforced that Simmons’ competitive nature had never disappeared, even during his extended absence from professional basketball.
WARRIORS TO AUSTRALIA? SPEARS REVEALS POTENTIAL NBA VISIT
Spears also revealed another interesting possibility for Australian basketball fans, suggesting the Golden State Warriors could potentially hold a training camp Down Under in the coming years.
Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors runs on the court in the first quarter of a preseason game against the Los Angeles Lakers. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
The veteran NBA journalist had initially hoped to travel to Melbourne for Simmons’ minicamp, but his upcoming knee replacement surgery prevented him from making the trip.
“I was hoping that I would have gone with Ben to that mini camp in Australia,” Spears said.
“They were talking about us flying out there. That took place about 15 days before I was having left knee replacement surgery.
Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr calls to his team during the first half of a preseason NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Lakers Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2026, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/David Becker)Source: AP
“So I didn’t push that. I think that might have been too long of a trip.”
However, Spears revealed he had heard discussions about the Warriors potentially travelling to Australia for a future training camp, although nothing has been confirmed.
“But a little birdie told me that the Golden State Warriors might be doing training camp there in a couple of years.
“And so if they do that, maybe I’ll get out there with them, but I’ve been wanting to go to Australia forever.”
‘I’M SURPRISED’: SPEARS PRAISES NBL’S BIG-NAME SIGNING
Away from Simmons, Spears also shared his thoughts on the continued growth of the NBL, praising the league’s ability to attract and develop talent.
Cole Anthony #50 of the Orlando Magic looks to pass during the second half of an NBA play-in tournament game against the Atlanta Hawks at Kia Center on April 15, 2025 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
Having previously interviewed several figures connected to Australian basketball, including Illawarra Hawks coach Justin Tatum, Next Star Karim Lopez and NBA legend Carmelo Anthony, Spears has followed the league’s development closely.
He was particularly impressed by the NBL’s Next Stars program, which has helped produce NBA talent including Josh Giddey, LaMelo Ball and Alexandre Sarr.
“It’s a very high level. The fact that your alumni is like Sarr, Giddey, Lopez and LaMelo. That program, Next Stars, I think was super. It’s brilliant. And I think that it’s a great, great league,” Spears said.
LaMelo Ball of the Hawks in action during the round 9 NBL match between the New Zealand Breakers and the Illawarra Hawks at Spark Arena on November 30, 2019 in Auckland, New Zealand. (Photo by Anthony Au-Yeung/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
“I think they do a great job of marketing it, making it fun.
“I never had a Hungry Jack, but I know about the Hungry Jack. I don’t know if it’s tasty, but I kind of want a Hungry Jack, right?”
And when the conversation turned to Melbourne United’s newest star, Cole Anthony, Spears admitted he was surprised the former Orlando Magic guard had ended up playing in Australia rather than securing another NBA contract.
Cole Anthony of United handles the ball during the round four NBL match between South East Melbourne Phoenix and Melbourne United at John Cain Arena, on October 10, 2026, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Kelly Defina/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
“My man from the Orlando Magic’s playing there now, Cole Anthony,” Spears said.
“I’m surprised that no NBA team signed him. And whoever from Australia who figured out how to get that done, kudos to them. That was a great job getting him to come out there.”
Spears also had a message for Australian basketball fans, encouraging them to ask Anthony to bring back a familiar celebration from his time in Orlando.
Cole Anthony of United drives to the basket during the round four NBL match between South East Melbourne Phoenix and Melbourne United at John Cain Arena, on October 10, 2026, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Kelly Defina/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
“So when you see him tell him I said hello. I want to challenge the Australian fans to ask him to do his old dance that he used to do after Orlando Magic home court wins.”
With Simmons now preparing to return to the NBA and potentially take another step towards representing Australia, Spears’ documentary offers a look at a player whose career has been filled with enormous expectations, setbacks and scrutiny.
And if his recent comeback is anything to go by, the next chapter of Simmons’ basketball journey may only just be beginning.