Ben Simmons, who could be the No. 1 NBA draft pick on June 23, will not play for Australia’s Olympic team in August, according to ESPN.com.
“Ben Simmons will postpone playing with the Australian Olympic team this summer in order to concentrate fully on his NBA activities following the upcoming 2016 NBA draft,’' Simmons’ agent said, according to the report.
Simmons, who is turning pro after his freshman season at LSU, was one of 26 players named as candidates for Australia’s Olympic basketball team last month.
Without Simmons, the Australian Olympic team could still include NBA players Andrew Bogut, Patty Mills and Matthew Dellavedova, among others.
Simmons, a Melbourne native, was among the final five cuts for Australia’s 2014 FIBA World Cup team.
Basketball Australia will cut down to 16 ahead of a July 5-10 selection camp. The Olympic Opening Ceremony is Aug. 5.
Australia’s men’s basketball team has never earned an Olympic medal, falling in the quarterfinals in 2008 and 2012.