Why Simmons will make long-awaited Boomers return

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Former Australian Boomer Jason Cadee believes a Ben Simmons return to the green and gold colours for the first time in more than 16 years is approaching after the three-time NBA All-Star took part in a recent player's only camp in Melbourne.

Simmons, who hasn't played for the Boomers since the 2013 FIBA Oceania Championship as a 17-year-old, flew home and hit the courts at Courtside Melbourne earlier this month with the biggest names in Aussie hoops, including Josh Giddey, Dyson Daniels and Jock Landale.

The camp signalled the 30-year-old's intent to represent the Boomers at an upcoming major event, whether that's the 2027 FIBA World Cup or the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, and also to work his way back into the NBA after a season off to recover from major back issues.

Speaking on Episode 40 of the Cut to the Jase podcast, Cadee said Simmons taking that step himself was a huge sign for his chances to play for Australia in the near future.

"I think first of all for him, the fact is he had to choose to fly out to Australia for this, this wasn't a 'oh you've been chosen we fly everyone from wherever they are in'. He had to actually physically say 'no I'm coming'," he said on the basketball.com.au podcast.

"So for him to do that I think shows (he wants to play).

"The part two with all this stuff is everyone will have their opinion but you don't know, unless you're Ben Simmons or those directly close to him and probably only him himself, how bad has his injuries really been.

"Like his back (injury), I've seen people with sore backs that can't walk and so if Ben's back and he's been dealing with all these things, yes I'm sure there's some mental things as a part of whatever he's been dealing with.

"If him having this time off has actually led to him saying I feel healthy enough that I'm going to fly to Australia, jump on the court with the guys and work out for three days, then go back and do whatever I want to do.

"I said it six months ago, or whenever I first said that, and I think now is more likely than ever that he'll play for the Boomers."

With the former Philadelphia 76ers point guard and two-time NBA All-Defensive First Team member potentially putting his hand up for Boomers coach Adam Caporn, Cadee said Simmons would walk into the team if he was available.

"If people have the opinion 'oh he's not playing, so he's not good enough'. It's Ben Simmons, he's been in the NBA, playing at a level that, believe me, applies to international basketball, especially if he can play the 4-5," he said.

Those comments were echoed by co-host Brayden Heslehurst.

"That is a common thing that I see (on social media) that absolutely pisses me off. These people that say that he wouldn't make it anyway," he said.

"If you don't think a 6'10", basically point guard, who can play 1-5, guard 1-5, and do all that, he's not going to get picked in our national team, you are off your head."

If Simmons was to finally make a return to the Boomers, it would make Australia's line-up for the World Cup and Olympics a daunting one.

Spearheaded by the backcourt of Giddey and Daniels, along with Landale at the centre spot, Simmons potentially at the power forward and then other talents such as Tyrese Proctor working their way up, on top of the likes of Josh Green as well as Dante Exum and more, Caporn will have his hands full at the selection table.

While Simmons competing at the camp in Melbourne signalled his intent to represent his country, it also put on a show for NBA teams, who may be interested in his services with several teams, headlined by the Sacramento Kings, reportedly interested in offering the former LSU college star a contract.