#OTRHoopsReport: Prospect Eval – Ben Simmons – June 23, 2014

Simmons proved to be the top prospect at the NBPA Top 100 Camp.
*Photo by Davide De Pas (Nike)
Editor’s Note: “Prospect Eval” is a regular piece designed to inform our readers of the staff’s most recent evaluation on a prospect.

By: @JLHemingwayPSB

 

NBPA Top 100 Camp Evaluation: Ben Simmons (Melbourne, AUS), E1T1 – 2015

Earlier this year we stated that Malik Newman of Jackson, Miss., was the nation’s top player after his performance at Nike EYBL in Hampton, Va. The race for No. 1 heated up after this Ben Simmons’ showing at the NBPA Top 100 Camp in Charlottesville, Va., on the campus of the University of Virginia. It did not take long for Simmons to establish himself as the top prospect at the camp as he immediately exerted his will with his diverse skill set. At 6-foot-8, Simmons embraces the role of an interior player who will score around the bucket consistently. He is one of the rare players who can actually create an angle to score in the paint while in possession of the ball. On the perimeter, Simmons is equally as skilled as he showed exceptional vision with skip passes and post entries all while facing the basket. The native of Australia certainly brings an international feel to game when playing, but he has the athleticism to compete at the highest levels as well.

Simmons will return to Montverde Academy next season after winning the DICK’S Sporting Goods High School National Tournament and finishing with a 28-0 record**. Looking beyond this high school season, Simmons gave his verbal commitment to LSU and will play at least one year at the collegiate level. Although it is premature to predict, Simmons is positioning himself as a prospect that will be a lottery pick in the NBA Draft when his time comes.

**Montverde lost to Curie High School at the Hoop Hall Classic on January 20, 2014. However, Curie was required to forfeit all of its wins because they played ineligible players.

Highlight Video of Simmons complements of Home Team Hoops:

Jonathan Hemingway is a National Evaluator for the OTRHoopsReport. He is also the publisher of CoachHemi.com. He has been involved in the community since 1996 as a coach, camp director and evaluator. You can reach him via email at JonathanHemingway@PeachStateBasketball.com and follow him on twitter @JLHemingwayPSB