Career Timeline of Ben Simmons: Major Achievements and Milestones

How Ben Simmons built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Ben Simmons is an Australian professional basketball player currently with the Los Angeles Clippers. After a single college season at LSU, where he earned All-American honors, he was drafted first overall by the Philadelphia 76ers in 2016. Simmons missed his first season due to injury but was named NBA Rookie of the Year in 2018 and earned three All-Star selections. A holdout from the 76ers following the 2020-21 season that led to a trade to the Brooklyn Nets resulted in him becoming the most-fined player in NBA history in terms of total financial loss.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles

2005: Andrew Bogut Drafted

In 2005, Andrew Bogut was the number one overall pick in the NBA draft.

2011: Kyrie Irving Drafted

In 2011, Kyrie Irving was the number one overall pick in the NBA draft.

2011: Played in Australian Schools Championships

In 2011, at the age of 15, Ben Simmons played basketball for Box Hill Senior Secondary College at the Australian Schools Championships.

2012: Australian Institute of Sport Scholarship and FIBA

In 2012, Ben Simmons took up a scholarship at the Australian Institute of Sport and represented Australia at the FIBA Under-17 World Championship.

2012: FIBA Under-17 World Championship

In 2012, at age 15, Ben Simmons represented Australia at the FIBA Under-17 World Championship, helping the team win a silver medal.

April 2013: High School National Tournament Win

In April 2013, Ben Simmons helped Montverde Academy win the High School National Tournament against St Benedict's.

June 2013: Joins Bulleen Boomers

In June 2013, after competing in the Jordan Brand Classic International Game, Ben Simmons joined the Bulleen Boomers of the Big V competition in Melbourne.

October 2013: Committed to Louisiana State University

On October 14, 2013, Ben Simmons committed to Louisiana State University (LSU) to play college basketball, choosing LSU over offers from Kentucky, Kansas, and Duke.

2013: Senior Debut for Australia

In 2013, Ben Simmons made his senior debut for Australia in the FIBA Oceania Championship against New Zealand. He was also a part of the gold medal-winning Australian team.

2013: Junior Season at Montverde Academy

In 2013, Ben Simmons returned to Montverde Academy for his junior season where he averaged 18.5 points, 9.8 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game, with Montverde finishing the season with a 28–0 record and winning the High School National Tournament, Simmons earning MVP honors with 24 points and 12 rebounds.

July 2014: Boomers Extended Squad Addition

In July 2014, Ben Simmons was added to the Boomers extended squad for the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup, but he did not make the final 12-man roster.

November 2014: Signed National Letter of Intent with LSU

In November 2014, Ben Simmons signed a National Letter of Intent to play college basketball for LSU.

January 2015: McDonald's All-American Game Selection

On January 28, 2015, Ben Simmons was named as a starter for the East team in the McDonald's All-American Game.

March 2015: Awards and Honors

In March 2015, Ben Simmons received the Morgan Wootten Award, was named Naismith Prep Player of the Year, and Gatorade National Player of the Year, leading the Eagles to a 28-1 record.

August 2015: Intention to Represent Australia at 2016 Summer Olympics

In August 2015, Ben Simmons signaled his intentions to represent Australia at the 2016 Summer Olympics and said he was aiming to win a medal.

November 2015: College Debut with LSU

In November 2015, Ben Simmons made his college debut for LSU, recording a double-double with 11 points and 13 rebounds in a win over McNeese State.

2015: McDonald's All-American Game and High School Championship

In 2015, Ben Simmons competed in the McDonald's All-American Game and led Montverde Academy to a third consecutive High School National Tournament title, earning MVP honors again.

January 2016: All-SEC and Freshman of the Year

In January 2016, after a win over Kentucky, Ben Simmons was dubbed the best all-round player since LeBron James. Later he was named first-team All-Southeastern Conference and the league's Freshman of the Year.

March 2016: Declared for NBA Draft

In March 2016, Ben Simmons declared for the 2016 NBA draft, forgoing his remaining college eligibility, and signed with Klutch Sports.

April 2016: Withdrawal from 2016 Olympics

In April 2016, Ben Simmons withdrew from the Australian team for the 2016 Summer Olympics in order to prepare for his rookie season in the NBA.

June 2016: Endorsement Deal with Nike

On 7 June 2016, Ben Simmons signed an endorsement deal with Nike, marking a significant step in his burgeoning career.

July 2016: Signed with 76ers and Joined Summer League

In July 2016, Ben Simmons signed his rookie contract with the 76ers and joined the team for the NBA Summer League, later being named in the All-Las Vegas Summer League First Team.

November 2016: Showtime Documentary Film Appearance

In November 2016, Ben Simmons was featured in the Showtime documentary film One & Done, which provided insight into his time as a one-and-done college player. It also explored his and his family's thoughts on the NCAA and the NBA's "one and done" rule.

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2016: Drafted by Philadelphia 76ers

In 2016, Ben Simmons was drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers with the number one overall pick.

2016: End of LSU Season

In 2016, LSU finished the regular season with an 18-13 record and failed to receive an NCAA tournament berth, with Ben Simmons leading the team in most statistical categories.

October 2017: Intention to Represent Australia at 2020 Summer Olympics

In October 2017, Ben Simmons made clear his intentions to represent Australia at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo.

October 2017: NBA Debut

In October 2017, Ben Simmons made his NBA debut with 18 points and 10 rebounds and had a triple-double in his fourth game, joining Oscar Robertson and Art Williams as the only rookies to do so in their first four games.

October 2018: Season Opener vs. Boston Celtics and Game vs. Chicago Bulls

In October 2018, during the 76ers' season opener on October 16 against the Boston Celtics, Ben Simmons recorded 19 points, 15 rebounds, and eight assists in a 105–87 loss. On October 18, he achieved a triple-double with 13 points, 13 rebounds, and 11 assists in a 127–108 victory over the Chicago Bulls, marking his 13th career triple-double and making him the first Sixer to achieve one in a home opener.

2018: NBA Rookie of the Year

In 2018, Ben Simmons was named the NBA Rookie of the Year.

May 2019: Commitment to 2019 FIBA World Cup

On May 15, 2019, Ben Simmons confirmed he would represent Australia in the 2019 FIBA World Cup and multiple exhibition games against Canada and the United States.

July 2019: Withdrawal from 2019 FIBA World Cup

In July 2019, Ben Simmons announced that he would not play for the Australian national team in the 2019 FIBA World Cup, citing "professional obligations".

July 2019: Contract Extension with 76ers

On July 15, 2019, Ben Simmons and the 76ers agreed to a $170 million, five-year contract extension.

October 2019: 2019-20 NBA Season Opener Against Boston Celtics

On October 23, 2019, in the 2019–20 NBA season opener against the Boston Celtics, Ben Simmons scored 24 points on 68 percent shooting and recorded nine assists and eight rebounds in a 107–93 win.

January 2020: All-Star Appearance and Game against Brooklyn Nets

In January 2020, specifically on January 20, Ben Simmons scored 34 points and recorded 12 assists and 12 rebounds in a 117–111 win over the Brooklyn Nets. On January 30, it was announced that Simmons had been awarded with his second All-Star appearance and was drafted by Team LeBron.

August 2020: Return to Play in NBA Bubble

On August 1, 2020, Ben Simmons returned to play during the NBA Bubble, where he scored 19 points along with 13 rebounds and 4 assists in a loss to the Indiana Pacers.

2020: NBA Steals Leader and All-NBA Team Selection

At the end of the 2020 season, Ben Simmons was the NBA steals leader and was named to the All-NBA Third Team and the NBA All-Defensive First Team.

February 2021: Career-High 42 Points vs. Utah Jazz

On February 15, 2021, Ben Simmons recorded a double-double with a career-high 42 points and 12 assists in a 134–123 loss to the Utah Jazz.

June 2021: Withdrawal from Australia Olympic Squad

In June 2021, Ben Simmons withdrew from the Australia Olympic squad, stating that he was focusing on improving his shooting skills for the 2021–22 NBA season.

August 2021: Trade Demand and Departure Desire

In August 2021, Ben Simmons, despite having four years left on his contract with the 76ers, decided he no longer wanted to be a member of the team and requested a trade, indicating he was willing to miss training camp to enforce it.

February 2022: Trade to Brooklyn Nets

On February 10, 2022, Ben Simmons was traded to the Brooklyn Nets along with Andre Drummond, Seth Curry, and two future first-round picks in exchange for James Harden and Paul Millsap.

October 2022: Nets Debut

On October 19, 2022, Ben Simmons made his Nets debut, putting up four points, five rebounds, and five assists before fouling out in a 130–108 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans.

January 2023: Season-High Assists

On January 12, 2023, Ben Simmons dished out a season-high 13 assists, alongside nine rebounds and two steals, in a 109–98 loss to the Boston Celtics. Then on January 17, Simmons recorded his first triple-double as a Net, logging ten points, ten rebounds and eleven assists in a 106–98 loss to the San Antonio Spurs.

August 2023: Declared Intent to Join Australian Team for 2024 Olympics

In August 2023, Ben Simmons declared his intent to join the Australian team for the 2024 Summer Olympics.

2023: Injury and Season's End Announcement

In 2023, After playing in only 15 games for the Nets, On March 7, the Nets announced that Ben Simmons would miss the remainder of the season due to a nerve impingement in his lower back.

January 2024: Season Debut After Injury

On January 29, 2024, after missing the first 38 games of the season, Ben Simmons made his season debut, recording 10 points, 11 assists, and 8 rebounds in a 147–114 win against the Utah Jazz.