Australian basketball legend Andrew Bogut has implored former NBA All-Star Ben Simmons to commit to the Boomers team ahead of the 2024 Paris Olympics.
In late August, the current Brooklyn Net and former No. 1 overall draft pick declared that he "100%" wanted to play for Australia at the Olympics.
However, this is the latest in a long line of commitments Simmons has given to the national team for various major tournaments, all of which fell through, with the 27-year-old having not played for the Boomers since 2013.
Considering this, Bogut questioned if Simmons was genuinely interested in representing Australia, or if he would once again leave Australian basketball fans wanting.
Andrew Bogut's message to Ben Simmons
In an interview with The Sporting News, Bogut pleaded with Simmons to either commit to the team or put Australian fans out of their misery.
"I think Ben would be a huge asset to our national team and our program," Bogut said.
"I've said that since 2014, 2015, when he played his first game in the [2013 FIBA Oceania Championship], but the question is, does he want to be part of it? Is he going to be fully committed?
"FIBA ball is a different beast as well. We've got Josh Giddey, who's going to be probably the primary ball handler. That moves Ben off the ball at times. Is he comfortable with that?
"Your role changes for your national team, minutes change. Is he going to buy into that? I think he's capable of doing it. I think it'd be great for his career and great for his mental psyche to be part of that group."
MORE: Simmons declares Olympic intentions, set on joining Boomers in Paris 2024
However, Bogut is also hesitant to fully believe in Simmons' commitment to the national team, with him having pulled out of nearly every major tournament since his Boomers debut.
"We've been through this a lot with the national team and the blunt, honest truth is, once bitten, twice shy.
"We're on the fourth or fifth bite right now with this same scenario emerging, where there's a big PR campaign around Ben playing for the national team, and putting out these comments for 12 months before a tournament, and then a month before the tournament, for whatever reason, he pulls out.
"I'm not against guys not playing for the national team, I want to make this clear because everyone has different problems in the off-season. He had a few injuries, he had some mental health stuff, and we get that. That's not a problem. I guess the problem I have is if you're going to tease it, don't continuously pull out.
"Just say, 'Hey, I don't know if I'm going to be available. We'll see how it goes. I've got some things I need to address. I've got an injury, I'm getting married, I'm blah, blah, whatever I'm doing.'
"I think people won't be as disappointed then — but if you tease it and then continuously pull out, I think that's where there's a little bit of frustration. I urge Ben that if you're going to put it out on the table, hopefully, see you there in a Boomers jersey because you can be an influential part of the team."
Ben Simmons says his goal is to ‘dominate’ players next season
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) August 29, 2023
“For me to come back and dominate people will be great. I don’t intend to come back the same player I was last [season], because that’s not even close to where I am. I get excited because I’m like, ‘Damn, I would… pic.twitter.com/lII9RVh66k
Most recently, Simmons declared he would push to be a part of the 2023 World Cup squad, before pulling out to continue rehabilitating his back injury that cut his 2022-23 NBA campaign short.
The Boomers went on to fall short at the tournament, eliminated during the second group stage after losses against Germany and Slovenia.
Simmons had a disappointing 2022-23 NBA campaign, averaging a career-low 6.9 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 6.1 assists in just 42 games of action, before his season was cut short due to ongoing back injuries.
