With the help of his national team, Ben Simmons could finally find his way back into the NBA for a much-awaited basketball comeback.
Simmons is expected to be a full participant with “zero restrictions” in a player-led Aussie men’s national team minicamp in Melbourne beginning Monday, per Marc J. Spears of Andscape. Simmons paid his way to join the camp.
A coach who worked out Simmons revealed he has regained his athleticism, as the former NBA star intentionally took a full-season break last year to recover from his injuries.
Several NBA teams have expressed interest in Simmons’ camp, including one West squad that offered a training camp invite. As such, he is open to signing a veteran's minimum contract as a free agent and is determined to join the Boomers in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Josh Giddey, Dyson Daniels, Jock Landale, and Patty Mills are the other key Australian players who will attend the camp with Simmons, according to ESPN's Olgun Uluc.
Ben Simmons NBA comeback incoming?
On Saturday, Ben Simmons left many intrigued with his cryptic social media post hinting at his plans to return to the hardwood.
Simmons did not play this past 2025-26 NBA season. He last suited up in the 2024-25 season with the Los Angeles Clippers.
The Australian star is a three-time All-Star, two-time All-Defensive Team member, an All-NBA team member, and the 2017-18 Rookie of the Year winner, but back injuries and reported mental health issues have ruined his sensational career as the former No. 1 overall pick.
He served as the co-star of Joel Embiid with the Philadelphia 76ers, but Simmons and the team had a highly dramatic fallout in 2021-22 that sent the 30-year-old to the Brooklyn Nets.
As Simmons has yet to play for Australia's senior national team on the international stage, he can only hope the upcoming minicamp will help him wear an NBA uniform again.