Ben Simmons is attempting an NBA comeback at 30 years old after injuries sidelined him entirely for the previous season. As reported by Yahoo Sports, the forward is currently participating in private training runs with the Australian national men’s basketball team, eyeing a potential spot on the 2028 Olympic roster as footage of his outside shooting begins circulating widely online.
For modern basketball observers, this training footage marks the return of a familiar late-summer ritual. Every offseason seemingly brings fresh video evidence of Simmons displaying a refined outside shooting stroke. Yet, that progress has historically failed to translate to the regular season, with Simmons sinking just five three-pointers across 383 career NBA games.
The trajectory of Simmons’ career shifted dramatically following Game 7 of the 2021 Eastern Conference playoffs against the Atlanta Hawks, where he famously passed up an open dunk. Although he earned his third consecutive All-Star nod that season, a mounting series of back and nerve injuries subsequently broke down his physical stamina and prevented him from reclaiming his peak form.
Peak Accolades and Draft Pedigree
Despite ongoing criticism surrounding his perimeter shooting limitations, Simmons was an elite talent during his prime years. Selected as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft, he secured the 2018 NBA Rookie of the Year award, two First-Team All-Defense selections, one All-NBA team appearance, and three All-Star bids.
At his best, Simmons served as an exceptional defensive forward equipped with elite passing vision and unmatched open-floor scoring capability. As injuries piled up and his athleticism diminished, his offensive aggressiveness waned, driven in part by reluctance at the free-throw line. Nevertheless, advanced metrics highlight his profound impact; Simmons still ranks No. 2 in Box Plus/Minus (BPM) and No. 4 in win shares per 48 minutes among players from the 2016 draft class.
Ben simmons está treinando com a seleção da Austrália 🇦🇺 estamos voltando pic.twitter.com/rLxZiDaqc6
— Goat of Austrália (@criticonordest) August 11, 2026
Evaluating the Comeback Pathway
A successful return to the league will depend heavily on his health and defensive capabilities rather than empty-gym shooting drills.
Whether Simmons can regain the necessary physical conditioning to defend at an elite NBA level remains the central question for prospective suitors. For now, the combination of summer workouts and viral shooting clips highlights an enduring chapter in modern basketball fandom.
Worth a look