Nets’ Ben Simmons not listed on Australia’s 2023 FIBA World Cup Roster
Brooklyn Nets guard Ben Simmons is not listed on Australia’s preliminary 2023 FIBA World Cup roster, the team announced on Sunday. This news comes after there were reports that Simmons had a strong chance of playing for Australia in the tournament. Simmons is currently rehabbing from a nerve impingement in his back that ended his 2022-23 season in March.
From all indications, Simmons’ rehab is going well. Simmons has not played for the Australian National Team since 2013 so there may be some wanting on behalf on Simmons to represent his country again after not doing so for so many years.
Simmons may also be feeling the need to prove himself on the court as the past couple of seasons have been rough for him. He played just 42 games in 2022-23 thanks to a host of injuries mostly related to his back and knees, including the nerve impingement that ended his season. When Simmons did play, his numbers were down across the board as he looked mostly like a shell of his former self that was a perennial All-Star.
Here is the Australia men’s 18-player preliminary FIBA World Cup roster that will be trimmed to 12 for the event. No Ben Simmons. pic.twitter.com/B5PNbCaCMy
— Jeff Zillgitt (@JeffZillgitt) May 8, 2023
