Written by Ohm Youngmusik at ESPN.com
As a youngster growing up in Australia, Ben Simmons looked up to Allen Iverson on an almost daily basis; Simmons even tried to look like Iverson.
Now, Simmons will be following in Iverson’s footsteps after the Philadelphia 76ers made LSU’s versatile forward the No. 1 overall pick in the NBA draft. Simmons is the franchise’s first top pick in the draft since Iverson was taken No. 1 in the 1996 draft.
“A lot of people don’t know that I actually had a poster of A.I. when I was young in my room,” Simmons said. “It was a big diamond-cut poster of him. I just remember him being one of those point guards, a smaller guy with cornrows and the headbands. I remember I used to have the cornrows when I was younger. He was one of those players that fought every day.”
The Sixers took about three minutes before deciding on Simmons over Duke scorer Brandon Ingram. TheLos Angeles Lakers tabbed Ingram with the second overall pick moments later, while the Boston Celtics drafted California forwardJaylen Brown with the third pick.
The Phoenix Suns drafted Croatian forward Dragan Bender, and Minnesota rounded out the top five by selecting Providence point guardKris Dunn.
Sixers fans on hand at Barclays Center roared in approval when NBA commissioner Adam Silver announced Simmons’ name.
Even though it was widely known that Philadelphia would take Simmons, who worked out for the team privately Tuesday in his first and only workout leading up to the draft, the Australian was relieved after he became a Sixer.
“I’m happy to be part of the family now,” Simmons said. “It’s a weight off my chest. I’ve been looking forward to this day for a while, so I’m glad I’ve made history, not only for myself but my family and Australian basketball.”
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