The Sixer Sense
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Philadelphia 76ers Ben Simmons, from Down Under to On Top of the NBA World

By Bret Stuter

PHILADELPHIA, PA - MARCH 13: Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers reacts in the second quarter against the Indiana Pacers at the Wells Fargo Center on March 13, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - MARCH 13: Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers reacts in the second quarter against the Indiana Pacers at the Wells Fargo Center on March 13, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
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Australia is hotbed of NBA talent

Ben Simmons is the premier talent out of Australia right now. But others are following. The Philadelphia 76ers have power forward Jonah Bolden playing in the Euroleague for now, but his future as a Philadelphia 76er is virtually guaranteed.  And there are many more in the pipeline.  One Australian who is catching an early buzz is Josh Green.

The talent in Australia is there.  The NBA continues to take notice more and more each year.

Plenty of Aussies in NBA

But there are far more. Kyrie Irving, Joe Ingles, Patty Mills, and others all call Australia home.  In fact, the list goes on and on. Australia is an incubator for some of the best basketball players in the NBA, and has been for some time.  But the NBA has yet to “plug in” to that incredible basketball market fully.

Next: Locked In: The Sixers can win the title this year

While they are all worthy and great NBA players, perhaps the instant success of Ben Simmons will spark even more NBA interest in the land down under.  Simmons is the key to the Philadelphia 76ers success in the 2018 NBA Playoffs. But with his play so far, he may be a key to unlocking the full potential of Australian basketball on the NBA.