Simmons to reel in the Shark

NBA star rookie Ben Simmons is on course to dethrone Greg Norman as Australia’s richest ever athlete, according to a leading US sports business analyst.

Kurt Badenhausen, a Forbes senior editor and author of its Highest Paid Athletes of All Time list, believes the 21- yearold Melbourne talent has a chance at reeling in the Shark’s enormous fortune.

Golf great Norman was the only Australian to feature on the definitive Forbes ranking of the 20 richest sports stars – coming in No. 12 with estimated career earnings of $ US680 million, while basketball legend Michael Jordan earned top spot with $ 1.7 billion.

Norman, 62, built a business empire on top of a golf career highlighted by two British Open titles and record stints as world No. 1, before moving into golf course design, apparel, wine and real estate ventures.

But with Simmons soaring early in his NBA rookie season after being taken by the Philadelphia 76ers as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2016 draft, Badenhausen says the sky is the limit for the Australian.

“If Simmons turns into a top- five NBA player with a 15year- plus career, he’ll have an opportunity to approach the Shark in career earnings,” Badenhausen said.

With Simmons bagging 11 double- doubles through 17 games and ranking fifth in the NBA for assists per game ( 7.6) behind James Harden, Russell Westbrook, John Wall and LeBron James, Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant says he has all the hallmarks of an elite player.

“He’s something I’ve never seen before as ( really) playing the point guard; that height, that speed, and that strength,” Durant said.

Locked into a capped rookie playing contract, Simmons will bank $ 6.4 million and $ 8.1 million, respectively, in the third and fourth years of a deal expected to total about $ 26.6 million.