Ben Simmons has a broken bone in his right foot and it’s unknown how long the No.1 NBA draft pick will be sidelined for the Philadelphia 76ers.
The Australian star was injured on Friday (Saturday AEST) during the final training camp scrimmage at Stockton University in New Jersey.
The Sixers said Simmons rolled an ankle, and X-rays and an MRI revealed a fractured fifth metatarsal bone.
It means Simmons is in doubt for Philadelphia’s regular season opener against Oklahoma on October 26.
The forward played at Louisiana State University last season and missed game-time early during his stay with the Tigers while waiting for an ankle injury to heal.
He also left an NBA Summer League contest in July after suffering cramps in both legs.
Simmons’ injury is the latest blow to a franchise that has been beset in recent years by injuries to their players.
Joel Embiid, the No. 3 overall pick in 2014, has yet to play because of surgeries on his right foot.
Nerlens Noel missed his rookie year in 2013 with a torn ACL.
Jahlil Okafor had his rookie season cut short with season-ending knee surgery on his right knee.
It’s become a bit of a theme in Philly the past few seasons, ending with last season’s 10-72 mark that earned them the No. 1 pick.
Simmons became an instant fan favourite before he ever played a game and expectations were high that he was the cornerstone player that could eventually help turn the Sixers into playoff contenders.
“It means a lot, just to see people wearing my jersey around Philly, it’s kind of weird,” he said this week.
“I’m just looking forward to hopefully giving back to Philly.”
He’ll have to wait.
Simmons was scheduled to start for the Sixers in their pre-season opener Tuesday against Boston.
Simmons, was Philadelphia’s first No.1 pick since they drafted Allen Iverson in 1996.
He led the Sixers to their last NBA finals appearance in 2001.
Coach Brett Brown planned to use Simmons all over the court, even at point guard.
Simmons averaged 19.2 points, 11.8 rebounds and 4.8 assists, the only SEC player ever to finish in the top five in all three categories.
But the Tigers were only 19-14, failing to make the NCAA Tournament.
Simmons, who grew up in Australia before moving to Florida for three years of high school at Montverde Academy, signed a $US20 million ($A26 million) sneaker deal with Nike before the draft.
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
Michael Jordan also had an injury season 2, Simmons played a full season in college so no different from a lot of the young guys in the league. LeBron James no college career and pretty much no injuries in his entire career, it all comes down to each individual. Also the luck of the Sixers right now.
mushi
Roar Guru
Okay but most of those are existing problems and to blame toney on current management is tough.
Swampy
Guest
There's a history there of good players getting injured and never being the same again - goes right back to Andrew Toney (foot injuries curtailing his career early). In the current setup it is important to note that Sam Hinke traded for Andrew Bynum and the current medicos at the Sixers ok'd the deal. Embiid was drafted after injuring his back but subsequently developed stress fractures in his foot which may have been due to dramatic weight gain (sound familiar). Elton Brand was another I think the Sixers gave a huge contract (despite him being severely limited after an Achilles injury) to only for him to injure his shoulder & never recover before they amnestied him. Strangely he's back there now...
mushi
Roar Guru
Also do the sixers have a bad rehab track record or is it more that they take injury risks with picks. I hadnt really monitored their history but it didn't stand out to me like say portland.
mushi
Roar Guru
No formal diagnosis as to the type of fracture. But early hypothesis is that it looks like it isn't a jones fracture (which is good news) as it seems to have come from the scrimmage. Grover was suggesting (from afar though) that they did a disservice to simmons having him add so much weight
Swampy
Guest
That is unfortunate news. Note it is the Sixers also (who have a poor track record with rehab). Is it the same injury Durant had? He seems to be ok now but ended up having 3 surgeries after coming back early. Proper advice was 3-6 months before any activity rather than 8 weeks. Durant I believe blamed his injury on his shoes behind closed doors.
mushi
Roar Guru
So did Sam Bowie. How did garnett bryant and moses malone go? What is the premise of your hypothesis? Professional teams with more money invested are less likely to have the resources to prepare players bodies than colleges?
no one in particular
Roar Guru
No
Rellum
Roar Guru
So Simmons joins Maker and Exum as having injuries very early in their NBA careers. Is that sown to not playing enough college ball?