Ben Simmons not playing for Boomers at World Cup but will return to Australia next month

Ben Simmons has made himself available for the Boomers’ exhibition games in Australia next month, but the NBA superstar has confirmed his decision not to represent his country at the 2019 Basketball World Cup.

The Boomers play Canada in exhibition games in Perth on August 16 and 17, and then face the United States in Melbourne on August 22 and 24. The World Cup in China starts on August 31.

Simmons released a statement on Wednesday saying he would return to Australia to host camps and play in the exhibition games, but he would not represent his country in the World Cup.

After confirming his new five-year, $170 million ($241.6 million AUD) contract with Philadelphia 76ers, Simmons released a statement confirming his plans.

“I wanted to let everyone know that after consulting with my representation, I’ve made the difficult decision to forego playing in the World Cup in China this summer,” the statement read.

“I will still be heading back home to Australia to host my camps as well as train and play with the Boomers in the upcoming exhibition games.

“I’m really excited about the talent we have on the Boomers squad, especially moving closer to 2020 where I will be honoured and humbled to represent my country on the world’s biggest sporting stage at the Olympics in Tokyo.”

Simmons said it was best for him to return to Philadelphia in September to prepare for the upcoming NBA season.

“I look forward to working with the Boomers coaches and teammates over the next few weeks to start working towards our ultimate team goal of winning a medal at the Olympics,” he said.

The Boomers are still poised to take their strongest-ever squad to a major event, as they bid for a maiden international medal at the World Cup in China, with eight current and former NBA players including Andrew Bogut, Joe Ingles, Patty Mills, Aron Baynes and Matthew Dellavedova.

Philadelphia are going all-in for the NBA title next season with the extension for Simmons and deals for All-Star big men Joel Embiid and Al Horford and forward Tobias Harris totalling a combined $US580m ($A827m).

While 76ers general manager Elton Brand labelled Simmons “one of the NBA’s most dynamic and talented young players“, his unwillingness to shoot the ball from outside the key is the glaring weakness in his game and has been exploited by rival NBA teams.

Harris, who agreed to return to the 76ers on a five-year, $US180 million ($A257m) deal, said he recently worked out with Simmons in Los Angeles and confirmed the Australian was working on shooting from distance and “his jump shot is looking good”.

Harris said Simmons made two consecutive three-pointers over him.

Simmons is yet to make a three-pointer in an NBA game and 90 per cent of his shot attempts come less than three metres from the basket, an incredible statistic for an NBA guard-forward.

“It was a priority for our organisation that we finalise a contract extension with Ben this summer,” Brand said.

“He was Rookie of the Year in his first season, an All-Star in his second and we expect him to grow and succeed for seasons to come.

“Ben positively impacts the game in so many ways and we look forward to continuing our championship pursuits with him as one of our leaders.”