Ben Simmons Joins Australian Minicamp with Zero Restrictions in Melbourne

Ben Simmons is participating in a player-led Australian national team minicamp in Melbourne with zero restrictions after sitting out the 2025-26 NBA season.

Ben Simmons is scheduled to be a full participant with "zero restrictions" at a player-led private minicamp for the Australian men’s basketball team starting Monday in Melbourne. The 30-year-old free agent forward, who sat out the entire 2025-26 NBA season to recover from back and various other injuries, paid his own way to attend the sessions. A source told ESPN Andscape on Sunday that the Melbourne native intends to use this week's training as a step toward representing the Boomers at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

Simmons last appeared in professional competition for the LA Clippers, a team he joined in February 2025 following his waiver by the Brooklyn Nets. During his tenure with the Clippers, the 6-foot-10 forward played in 18 regular-season games and five postseason contests. Despite his recent inactivity, several NBA franchises have shown interest in the former No. 1 overall pick of the 2016 draft. Sources indicate that Simmons is open to signing a minimum contract, and he currently holds a non-guaranteed offer to attend minicamp with an undisclosed Western Conference team.

Athletic Recovery and Miami Training

David Patrick, an assistant coach for the Australian national team and assistant at Arizona State, confirmed that Simmons has regained his athleticism. Patrick, who is also Simmons' godfather, noted that the player has been conducting his primary workouts in Miami, his current place of residence. This physical resurgence follows a career trajectory significantly altered by health issues; Simmons has not surpassed the 60-game mark in a single season since the 2018-19 campaign.

Before his injury struggles, Simmons was a perennial league standout. He earned the 2018 Rookie of the Year award and secured three consecutive All-Star selections between 2019 and 2021. His resume includes a 2020 All-NBA Third Team honor and two All-Defensive First Team selections earned in 2020 and 2021. Despite these accolades, he has not suited up for the Australian national team since the 2013 FIBA Men’s Oceania Championships, where he competed as a 17-year-old. He did not participate in the three Olympic Games that followed his debut, despite being under consideration for those rosters.

Professional Status and Off-Court Ventures

As a free agent, Simmons is navigating a market where his value is tied to his health and willingness to accept a non-guaranteed role. His last stint with the Clippers and Nets marked the end of a period where he was a four-time All-Star. While his basketball future remains the primary focus in Melbourne, Simmons has also expanded his business portfolio. In December 2025, he acquired a 50% majority stake in the South Florida Sails Angling Club.

Simmons now serves as the controlling operator for the club, which competes in the Sport Fishing Championship. This move aligns with his interests as an avid fisherman. However, the immediate priority remains the Melbourne minicamp, where he will re-integrate with the national program for the first time in over a decade. The private camp serves as the first major evaluation of his form since he stepped away from the NBA for the 2025-26 season to prioritize his physical rehabilitation.