Empathy for Simmons over World Cup doubt

AUSTRALIA’S first No.1 NBA draft pick Andrew Bogut says he’ll understand if Ben Simmons doesn’t commit to next year’s basketball World Cup.

Philadelphia 76ers star Simmons, the second Australian to be taken as the top NBA draft pick, has yet to commit to the tournament in China next August and September.

Bogut played just once at the World Cup, as he sought to preserve his injury-plagued body and said he empathised with Simmons’s situation.

“Benny is in a tricky position, he broke his foot his first year over there [with Philadelphia],” Bogut said.

“There have been times in my career in the NBA where the national team obviously took a back step to getting my body right. I know he hasn’t had a break for the last two off- seasons, but I feel if he does miss the Worlds Cup, I understand it.

“People will be disappointed, but we haven’t got an answer either way on that.

“I know he is very adamant on the Olympics but as far as a World Cup goes, who knows?”

One thing Ben Simmons shouldn’t have to worry about the next time he dons an Australian uniform is washing it himself, as Bogut did in his early days in the national team.

Bogut described the first collective bargaining agreement between Basketball Australia and the national teams as “very important”.

The agreement provides for best-practice travel conditions, improved contract provisions and protections, comprehensive injury insurance, image licensing, funding for player wellbeing and development and a best-in-practice pregnancy and parental policy.

National team players will also secure funding through a revenue share model from key games over the next four years.

“We think it’s a great deal for both parties, it holds both parties accountable,” said Bogut who was involved in the talks as a director of the Australian Basketballers Association.