Aussie basketball star Simmons opts out of Olympics
Ben Simmons, tipped as a possible top pick in this year's NBA draft, won't play for his native Australia at the Rio Olympics, his agent says.
The 19-year-old declared for June's NBA draft after his freshman season at Louisiana State University and his agent Rich Paul told ESPN he would forego the Games to focus on his new NBA commitments.
"Ben Simmons will postpone playing with the Australian Olympic team this summer in order to concentrate fully on his NBA activities following the upcoming 2016 NBA draft," Paul said in a statement.
"Australian Olympic Team training and competition takes place at the same time as the various NBA summer development programs and therefore Ben will look forward to his national team participation at some time later in his career."
The Los Angeles Lakers are among the teams reported to be interested in Simmons, a forward who averaged 19.2 points, 11.8 rebounds and 4.8 assists in his only season with the Tigers.
Simmons was one of 26 players named last month as candidates for the Australian team by the country's basketball officials.
The Aussie team in Rio will have other NBA players to draw on, including Andrew Bogut of the Golden State Warriors and Matthew Dellavedova of the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Dellavedova was a member of the 2012 Olympic team while Bogut played for Australia in 2004 and 2008.