Kinumpirma ng Basketball Australia na maglalaro para sa kanilang 17-man national team na sasabak sa 2019 FIBA World Cup sa China si Philadelphia 76ers star Ben Simmons.
Anunsyo ito ng pederasyon makaraan ang ilang buwang ispekulasyon tungkol sa availability ng 2018 NBA Rookie of the Year na hindi pa nakakapaglaro para sa Australia buhat noong 2013 Oceania Championships.
Ayon kay Boomers assistant coach Adam Caporn, malaki ang maitutulong ni Simmons sa pagpapalakas ng morale ng lahat ng mga players at coaching staff.
“It was a great day,” wika ni Caporn. “Amazing. We’re very, very excited. The way Ben plays will fit seamlessly into what the Boomers do. I think we’re all really excited about the squad now.
“The players put a lot of work in to attract each other and building a really strong culture. One of the strengths we have with the Boomers is they put the team first and that becomes really apparent when you join. The enthusiasm to play for the Boomers is really special.”
Makakasama ni Simmons sa roster ang mga kapwa nito NBA players na sina Aron Baynes (Boston Celtics), Andrew Bogut (Golden State Warriors), Jonah Bolden (Philadelphia 76ers), Matthew Dellavedova (Cleveland Cavaliers), Joe Ingles (Utah Jazz) at Patty Mills (San Antonio Spurs).
Samantala, hindi naman makakasama ngayon si Thon Maker dahil ayon sa Detroit Pistons, hindi raw muna ito sasali sa mga internationals upang magpokus sa kanyang development ngayong off-season ng NBA.
