Fresh off signing a $20 million shoe deal with Nike, former LSU forward Ben Simmons could put himself in good company during tonight’s NBA Draft.
Simmons likely won’t have to wait long for his name to be called at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. According to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, the Philadelphia 76ers told Simmons he will be selected with the first pick, which would also make him the fifth Southeastern Conference player to be picked No. 1.
The last time an LSU basketball player was taken No. 1 overall was when the Orlando Magic selected Hall of Fame center Shaquille O’Neal in 1992.
It’ll be the first time since 1993 that LSU has had players selected in the first round of the NBA Draft in back-to-back years, when O’Neal and former forward Stanley Roberts were taken in 1992 and 1993. Last season Jarrell Martin was taken 25th by the Memphis Grizzlies in last year’s draft.
The Australia native will earn $9.75 million in total during his first years, with a $5.1 million third year option, according to the NBA’s rookie pay scale.
Simmons didn’t participate in the NBA Draft combine and only worked out for the Sixers throughout the entire draft process.
Ever since Simmons signed with LSU back in 2014, many draft analysts pegged Simmons as the top draft prospect when he became draft eligible. His “unique strength” and point guard-like vision were just a few reasons Simmons was rated as the top prospect, according to NBADraft.net.
The biggest knock by most analysts has been his jump shot. In his one season with LSU, Simmons only attempted three shots from beyond the arc.
His lone season with the Tigers didn’t go as smoothly, but he still averaged 19.2 points, 11.8 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game.
Simmons isn’t the only LSU player that could hear his name called tonight.
Former LSU guard Tim Quarterman also has the opportunity to be drafted. Some draft projections have Quarterman ranked as a second round pick, while others have him going undrafted. During his last season at LSU, the
Savannah, Georgia native averaged 11.2 points, 4.6 rebounds and 3.6 assists with the Tigers.
Quarterman’s career was filled with ups and downs, but in his sophomore season he joined the likes of O’Neal and Pete Maravich as the only LSU players to record a triple double.
On June 7, Quarterman was among 35 draft prospects who worked out for about 20 NBA teams at the Elite Skills Training Pro Day in Miami.
Josh Ridell of Draftexpress.com raved about his potential at the point guard position with his 6-foot-6 frame his 6’10 wingspan, but listed his 190 pounds and his unreliable scoring ability as his weaknesses.
LSU forward Ben Simmons poised to be No. 1 pick in NBA Draft
By Josh Thornton
June 22, 2016
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