In 2006, the NBA decided that high school seniors would no longer be eligible for the draft. Since then potential NBA Draft prospects have to be out of high school for at least one year while also being at least 19-years of age. And because of this, we’ve seen a numerous amount of one-and-done players in college which has put more emphasis on recruiting for college basketball head coaches to stay ahead of the curve while also putting more of a spotlight on incoming freshman. There have been times where the freshman players have been able to live up to the hype while others have wilted under the immense spotlight. But one player who has been able to live up to the hype and then some is current LSU Tigers power forward Ben Simmons.
Coming out high school, Simmons had already established a stellar basketball resume as he was a McDonald’s All-American in 2015 along with being the Gatorade National Prep Player of the Year. Every college basketball powerhouse in the United States wanted Simmons’ services, but he decided on LSU and it didn’t take him that long to show that he is the real deal.
On November 13, Simmons played his first collegiate game against the McNeese State Cowboys where he went for 11 points, 13 rebounds, and 5 assists in 29 minutes of action. When the level of competition improved, Simmons didn’t back down as he got the Marquette Golden Eagles for 21, 20 rebounds, and 7 assists in an 81-80 loss on November 23. Simmons dominated the North Florida Ospreys for 43 points, 14 rebounds, and 7 assists as he was getting ready for conference play in the Southeastern Conference. LSU began conference play on January 2 with a road game against the Vanderbilt Commodores and Simmons exploded for 43 points and 14 rebounds in a 90-82 win for the Tigers. This past Tuesday in a nationally televised game, Simmons and LSU hosted the Kentucky Wildcats who are the defending SEC Champs along with always being in contention for the national title. Under head basketball coach John Calipari, Kentucky always has one of the top freshman classes in the country with this year’s unit being led by freshman guard Jamal Murray. Kentucky was attempting to get under the skin of Simmons during the game with cheap shots, but the freshman still went for 14 points and 10 assists in LSU’s 85-67 victory. And even in a 68-62 defeat today against the Florida Gators, Simmons tallied 28 points, 17 rebounds, and 4 assists.
Typically when freshman come to college, they aren’t as polished as Simmons as. In a short period of time Simmons has shown that he is more than just a scorer being that he is a tremendous all-around player which is highlighted by his ability to facilitate the basketball. This season Simmons is averaging 20.1 points, 12.9 rebounds, and 5.2 assists as his unselfishness on the court has already seen him draw comparisons to Cleveland Cavaliers small forward LeBron James. Simmons is expected by most observers to be the first overall pick the NBA Draft this June as there are plenty of teams that could use his services as a point forward. Simmons’s style of play will definitely allow him to succeed in the NBA being that he can score, rebound, pass, and dictate the game at both ends of the floor. The one knock on Simmons is that he can bit too unselfish at time, but that is not to say that the youngster lacks a killer instinct as he can get the job done.
But in the meantime Simmons will continue to add to his college legacy as he is the front runner to be the Southeast Conference Player of the Year and a first-team All-American as he looks to help LSU make the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament in consecutive years for the first time since 2006. And the more that Simmons plays while grabbing the national spotlight, struggling NBA franchises such as the Los Angeles Lakers, and Philadelphia 76ers would love to have the first overall pick this June and have a player with his versatility in their front court.
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