Storyline: The sky’s the limit for Ben Simmons. Regardless of whether he stays in college or jumps to the NBA it’s refreshing to see a young athlete who’s grounded, says and does the right things, chooses family over fame, and brings renewed pride to his school.
The LSU Tigers haven’t had the kind of prominence in the SEC, or the country for that matter, since the days of Pete Maravich, Shaquille O’Neal, and former coach Dale Brown. Mired in mediocrity and playing in a conference dominated by the Kentucky Wildcats, this non-football team in Baton Rouge was not grabbing headlines in NCAA basketball. That all ended this year with the emergence and appearance of one Ben Simmons.
Courtesy: nola.com
The 6’10”, 19-year old has taken the team and the rest of the country by storm. He has been called ‘the best player in the world.’ according to some former players and is the perennial first choice in next season’s NBA draft.
Many college basketball fans wonder why he chose to play for LSU when he had a chance to play for any of the country’s powerhouse teams. like Kentucky, Duke, or North Carolina. But if you know a bit about Simmons’ background, it’s no surprise that he chose to play ball at LSU.
Simmons, the youngest of six, grew up in Melbourne, the product of an Australian mother and New York City-born father, who played basketball for a pro team in that “country down under.” He wasn’t always seen as a star in his native country and certainly didn’t carry the moniker of being the best at his game. According to his parents he’s “very humble, and doesn’t see himself as the best.” Simmons himself said: “I still think I’m a better passer. I can score when I want, but I enjoy passing the ball more. It’s one of those things where I can see a play happen before it happens. I get excited.”
Simmons started at a young age and, according to his father. Playing against older kids Simmons was as good or better than the older kids he faced. Nobody, except maybe his family, envisioned the journey he was about to take to the U.S. It appears, however, that the deal to attend LSU had been done prior to other teams trying to lure this powerhouse freshman.
Courtesy: nola.com
Enter David Patrick, who met Simmons’ family while playing against his father and the Melbourne team. The two men became fast friends and Patrick ended up becoming Simmons’ godfather and mentor. Patrick returned to the States and worked for the Houston Rockets before becoming a LSU coach in 2012. Then, last season, LSU head coach Johnny Jones promoted Patrick to assistant head coach, a move made clearly with visions of Simmons in mind.
At the urging of Patrick, Simmons moved to the U.S. and enrolled at Montverde Academy in Florida. He excelled at his game, becoming a top-five recruit, and noticed by the likes of Kansas, Duke, and others. Simmons didn’t make any visits at that point and most programs weren’t allowed to engage him in discussions.
Ben Simmons feels that family comes first, basketball second. He didn’t even see the LSU campus when he called Jones and said: “I’m committing. I’m coming to school (at LSU).” Because Patrick was basically extended family, it was an easy decision to go to the university where his godfather coached. Simmons didn’t seem to care about the recruiting process, accolades, or headlines. The decision to go with the Tigers was easy.
The LSU basketball program, which hasn’t been a blip on anyone’s radar since O’Neal left, had been drawing a half-full arena at home games. And the Tigers certainly can’t compete with their “big brothers on the campus” – football. People in the south–especially in the SEC–live, eat, breathe, and do everything football–in-season and -out. At places like Alabama, Auburn, Florida, and LSU football talk consumes print media, radio, and TV. Basketball–much less a mediocre team–takes a back seat.
Simmons, and his uncanny ability to remain true to himself, is bringing a newfound buzz to Baton Rouge. Coaches, former players, and NCAA experts have all touted his stellar ability to play both sides of the court. Proof came a week ago when the Tigers hosted the Kentucky Wildcats, top-1o ranked, and a team coming off an almost flawless season. But the game turned out to be a clinic for Simmons and the rest of the ‘lesser’ LSU squad.
Courtesy: nola.com
In Baton Rouge the match-up was no contest. Simmons played only 27 minutes, but he finished with 14 points, 10 rebounds, 3 steals, 2 assists, and a block. The Tigers beat UK by almost 20 points. It was a stunning turn of events for a team that usually has no chance of beating the Wildcats–or any other top-20 contender.
Some call him the next LeBron James, which is certainly an incredible compliment, coming from stars. But Simmons doesn’t project any of the outward attention of the likes of the King, Durant, and similar others. So far, he just goes about his business and the NCAA looks in wonder.
The sky’s the limit for Simmons. He may decided to forego the draft this year and continue his education at LSU, but that doesn’t seem likely – not with a big payday waiting for him as a top-5 choice.
Regardless of what happens this season, or with the NBA next year, don’t look for Simmons to change his demeanor on or 0ff the court. It’s refreshing to see a young athlete being grounded, saying and doing the right things, choosing family over fame, and bringing a renewed sense of pride to a school that wouldn’t have a hill-of-beans-chance of landing someone of his caliber.
It’s a good lesson for all student-athletes.
