The Australian national basketball team’s coach, Brian Goorjan, has taken a clear stance on Ben Simmons, indicating that he won’t plead or convince the NBA star to play for the team.
Once again, Ben Simmons won’t be part of the Australian national team, missing out on the upcoming World Cup.
Coach Brian Goorjan is quite unequivocal regarding the Brooklyn Nets’ star.
Australia’s head coach Brian Goorjian says he’s not going to beg Ben Simmons to play for the national team
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) August 11, 2023
“I'm not recruiting you. It's important for the country [to know], we're not going, 'please, Ben, please, we don't have anything if you don't play'. We're not like that at… pic.twitter.com/yTEoxD9KEN
“My relationship with Simmons has always been that I’m not going to beg him. It’s important for our country to know that we’re not going to beg Ben and tell him to come, that we’re not going to have anything if you don’t play. We’re not that at all.”
Goorjan believes that being part of the national team could greatly benefit Simmons, who hasn’t played for Australia since 2013.
“You’re a great player, and this country loves you and wants you to play for it. This is a fantastic opportunity to walk through the door, leave everything behind, and play with your teammates. That’s how I see the whole situation; the guys and I care about him.”
As a player like Ben Simmons, with his style of play, can elevate this team to places it has never been before,” concluded the Australian coach.
Australia will compete in Group E in the World Cup, facing tough opponents including Germany, Finland, and Japan.