Brooklyn Nets’ Ben Simmons is left out of Australia’s World Cup roster to ‘focus on his rehab’

Three-time All-Star Ben Simmons won’t play for Australia this summer at the Basketball World Cup, as the Brooklyn Nets guard instead focuses on his recovery from injuries.

Simmons was limited to 42 games in his first full season with the Nets and didn’t play after the All-Star break due to a nerve impingement in his back that required rehab.

The 26-year-old has struggled with injuries throughout his career and sat out the entirety of the 2021-22 season due to a back injury that kept him sidelined after being acquired by trade from the Philadelphia 76ers.

Simmons also sat out his entire rookie season with a foot injury after being drafted No. 1 overall out of LSU back in 2016.

He failed to play in more than 60 games in two of his final three seasons in Philadelphia, but he was still given a five-year $177,243,360 contract following his three consecutive All-Star appearances.

Simmons recently posted  photos of himself working out, and looked to be in great shape

Brooklyn Nets teammate and Australian national team captain Patty Mills was recently noncommittal on Simmons playing for his country due to his on-going back rehab 

During the 42 games he featured in last season Simmons averaged 6.9 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 6.1 assists per game.

Simmons recently posted several photos of himself working out at the University of Miami and looked to be in great shape, however he and the team decided it was best to continue rehabbing his back. 

The Australian Basketball Federation announced Thursday on Twitter that Simmons and the Nets had informed the organization that he would be unavailable.

‘Ben needs more time to focus on his rehab and he looks forward to being part of the Boomers in the future,’ Basketball Australia said. ‘We wish Ben all the best in his recovery.’

Simmons had stated back in May that he wished to play for the national team, but when recently speaking at the inauguration of a mural paying tribute to local and global Indigenous communities in Brooklyn his Nets teammate and Australian team captain Patty Mills was non-committal about Simmons joining the Boomers.

‘It still feels like weeks away yet, but from all accords and from what I’ve heard, he’s looking after his body, and getting into his shape and healthy that everyone wants him and needs him to be,’ said Mills.

‘So first and foremost for him it’s getting to that part where he can be Ben again. Obviously, a full off-season of rehab, of healthy workouts both in the gym and on the court is what he’s looking at.’