Boomers coach drops Ben Simmons bombshell ahead of FIBA World Cup
Troubled NBA star Ben Simmons is set to make a shock Boomers return at the Basketball World Cup this year.
Boomers coach Brian Goorjian told SEN that there was "a really strong chance" Simmons plays in the tournament, to be held in the Phillipines, Indonesia and Japan in August-September.
Plagued by injuries and confidence issues in recent seasons, Simmons has prioritised his NBA commitments since being cut from Australia's 2014 World Cup squad.
READ MORE: Raw Benji conversation that reignited axed Tiger
READ MORE: Icon lashes controversial F1 change
READ MORE: Grim reality check in Joey's Ponga admission
Ben Simmons of the Brooklyn Nets passes past James Harden. Getty
"I think his mindset is getting healthy, getting in shape and getting ready to play in this (World Cup)," Goorjian said on Friday.
"And I think he has been along that line for a while and I felt it last time. There were unfortunate circumstances (why he didn't play at the Tokyo Olympics) but I feel like he is going to make himself available."
Simmons, 26, is a three-time NBA All-Star and a Brooklyn Nets teammate of Boomers legend Patty Mills.
Patty Mills and Ben Simmons of the Brooklyn Nets take the court for warm ups. Getty
"As we sit now, I think there is a really strong chance (he plays in the World Cup," Goorjian said.
"I also feel that Ben understands being with the Boomers and enjoying his basketball while representing his country.
"He will also be around these guys that he has grown up with. He gets that and he wants that."
The 20 most lucrative player contracts in sporting history
