Ben Simmons‘ rookie year won’t take place until next year at the earliest. The uniquely talented Australian will miss the remainder of the year.
Bryan Colangelo announces Ben Simmons will not play this season.
— Jake Fischer (@JakeLFischer) February 24, 2017
"The scan indicated there's not full healing in the bone," Bryan Colangelo on Ben Simmons' status. Next scan will occur in one month.
— Jake Fischer (@JakeLFischer) February 24, 2017
Simmons was selected by the Sixers with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft. Considered a future superstar for his guard-like skills in a 6’11 frame, Simmons seemed like he was going to form a dynamic 1-2 punch with the Sixers’ other star rookie, Joel Embiid.
Simmons himself wasn’t feeling too optimitic on Thursday night when he shared this on Snapchat:
Ben Simmons snapchat tonight 👇🏼#HopefullyFakeEmojiNews pic.twitter.com/ItV98UYuQ6
— John Clark (@JClarkNBCS) February 24, 2017
But Simmons’ season came into doubt when he fractured the fifth metatarsal in his right foot during the Sixers’ final scrimmage of training camp prior to the start of the season. There were rumblings that his agent wanted the team to hold him out all year, but plenty of people were optimistic that Simmons would indeed suit up for his rookie season.
While Thursday was the NBA’s trade deadline, for the Sixers, it was also the day that Simmons underwent a crucial CT scan. Prior to the scan, Sixers coach Brett Brown told reporters that he hoped Simmons would be able to play during the 2016-17 season. Unfortunately, that will not be the case.
For Simmons’ long-term health, it is wise to hold him out until he’s 100 percent ready to play. We saw the Sixers (albeit with Sam Hinkie running the show instead of Bryan Colangelo) do the same thing with Embiid, and it took us two full seasons for Embiid to get to a point where he was healthy and could contribute. Hopefully it doesn’t take us that long to watch Simmons.
