It seems as though the speculation can finally be put to rest.
According to a report, the Sixers have officially informed Ben Simmons of their intention to select him with the first overall pick in the hyped 2016 NBA Draft.
Simmons met with the Sixers last week, and worked out for the team Tuesday morning in Philadelphia. The Sixers were the only team granted a meeting or a workout with Simmons, who has repeatedly expressed his desire to be the top pick in the draft.
With Simmons medical information already in hand, the Sixers have all of the information necessary to confidently select Simmons, which they plan to do.
Simmons has an unseen ceiling when it comes to potential, and combined with a reportedly strong work ethic, the former LSU forward appears to have what it takes to develop into a true superstar on the NBA level, something that the Sixers haven’t since December 19, 2006 – the day they shipped Allen Iverson to Denver.
A personal family history with Sixers Head Coach Brett Brown only adds to the overall allure of Simmons as a Sixer. The ability to add a potential franchise-talent like Simmons is the pay-off for three straight seasons of struggle, and a new era of Sixers basketball will begin with Simmons selection on Thursday.