This was published 7 years ago
Philadelphia 76ers' Ben Simmons nears NBA debut after training run
By Keith Pompey
Ben Simmons has taken another step in his return to the court for the 76ers.
Simmons, the first overall pick in the June draft, has been sidelined all season after surgery to repair a broken right foot. He participated in five-on-none drills during Tuesday's practice.
Bright lights: Ben Simmons and Jahlil Okafor.Credit: Getty Images
The point guard did not do a lot. He also practiced at 80 percent instead of going all-out. But ...
"The gym got a lift," Sixers coach Brett Brown said. "You could feel it."
Simmons, 208cm and 113 kg, suffered a Jones fracture in his foot when he stepped on Shawn Long's foot on September 30, the final day of training camp. Simmons had a screw inserted in his foot.
Sources originally said that Simmons would be sidelined until sometime in January. The Sixers will only say that they are trying not to rush him back onto the court.
"It was exciting [seeing him participating] when you've got a player of that talent waiting, when you know he's coming back, hopefully soon," centre Joel Embiid said. "He's great and I can't wait to play with him."
Simmons is expected to have an immediate impact on the Sixers. Although he has been criticised for his lack of an outside shooting game, he averaged 19.2 points, 11.8 rebounds, 4.8 assists, and 2.0 steals as a freshman last season at Louisiana State.
The 20-year-old is the first No. 1 pick taken by the Sixers since 1996, when they took Allen Iverson out of Georgetown. They also selected Doug Collins first overall in 1973.
Simmons is the third player born in Melbourne, Australia, to be taken first overall in the last 12 years, joining Kyrie Irving (2011) and Andrew Bogut (2005).
McClatchy Newspapers