🔥 Trending Ben Simmons: Who is the NBA star and what's his career status?

Ben Simmons is an Australian professional basketball player who gained prominence as the No. 1 overall draft pick in the 2016 NBA Draft by the Philadelphia 76ers ⁵. Born on July 20, 1996, Simmons is known for his versatile play as a point forward ¹⁶.

Current Status and Recent Developments

Simmons' NBA career has been marked by significant talent but also by injuries and on-court disappointments, leading to an uncertain future in the league ³⁵.

Absence from the NBA

As of late 2025 and early 2026, Ben Simmons has not been actively playing in the NBA. He was an unsigned free agent after being bought out by the Brooklyn Nets ⁶. During the 2024-25 season, Simmons appeared in 51 regular-season games, but injuries and diminished play contributed to him not securing a deal with an NBA team for the current season ³. He also sat out the 2025-26 NBA season ⁴.

Pursuing a New Venture: Fishing

Amidst his absence from professional basketball, Simmons has embarked on a new venture: professional fishing ²³⁴. He has been actively pursuing this passion, with media outlets covering his fishing endeavors and his "newfound appreciation for simply being able to stand" ²⁴.

Potential NBA Return

Despite his focus on fishing, Simmons has expressed intentions to attempt an NBA comeback. He aims to get physically strong and return to the court, with the goal of convincing a team of his value ⁸. Reports in late 2025 indicated that he was aiming for an NBA return ². There has been speculation about potential interest from two NBA teams, though his future remains unclear ⁷. Simmons has also mentioned the Philadelphia 76ers as a possible landing spot for his return ⁸.