Ben Simmons: College | Career Earnings | How Old Is | Reddit | Jersey

Ben Simmons remains one of the most recognizable Australian basketball players of his generation. The former No. 1 overall NBA Draft pick has experienced All-Star success, major contracts, injuries and a long-awaited NBA comeback.

As of September 2026, Simmons is preparing for a new chapter with the Sacramento Kings, who agreed to a one-year, $3.5 million contract with the veteran guard-forward after he missed the entire 2025-26 season.

Here is everything to know about Ben Simmons’ college career, career earnings, age, Reddit presence and jersey history.

Ben Simmons college career

Ben Simmons played college basketball at Louisiana State University (LSU) during the 2015-16 season.

The Melbourne, Australia, native spent only one season with the Tigers, but it was enough to establish himself as one of the most highly regarded prospects in college basketball.

LSU lists Simmons as a 6-foot-10, 240-pound freshman who wore No. 25 during his college career. He averaged 19.2 points, 11.8 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game across 33 appearances.

His freshman campaign produced several major honors. Simmons was named SEC Freshman of the Year, first-team All-SEC and a consensus National Freshman of the Year. He was also a first-team USBWA All-American.

Despite LSU missing the NCAA Tournament, Simmons’ individual production made him the overwhelming No. 1 prospect entering the 2016 NBA Draft.

Ben Simmons LSU stats

His major 2015-16 numbers included:

• 19.2 points per game
• 11.8 rebounds per game
• 4.8 assists per game
• 2.0 steals per game
• 56.0% field-goal shooting
• 33 games played
• 632 total points

Sports-Reference records Simmons as a first-team USBWA All-American and second-team Associated Press All-American for the season.

When was Ben Simmons drafted?

The Philadelphia 76ers selected Simmons with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft.

His NBA debut was delayed by a foot injury, but he eventually won the 2017-18 Rookie of the Year award.

Simmons developed into a highly versatile player in Philadelphia. His size, passing ability, rebounding and defense allowed him to operate as a point guard despite standing 6-foot-10.

He eventually became a three-time NBA All-Star and earned All-Defensive honors during his Philadelphia years.

Ben Simmons career earnings

Ben Simmons has earned more than $200 million in NBA salary commitments and reported contracts over the course of his career.

His first NBA contract with Philadelphia was worth approximately $26.62 million. He then signed a five-year rookie-scale maximum extension worth $177,243,360, according to Spotrac.

That extension carried an average annual value of approximately $35.45 million.

The yearly salaries on the five-year extension were:

The total value was $177.24 million.

Simmons was traded from Philadelphia to Brooklyn in 2022 while on that contract. The Nets later bought out the final portion of his deal in February 2025. Reuters reported that Simmons had been earning approximately $40.3 million during the 2024-25 season.

He subsequently signed with the Los Angeles Clippers before agreeing to his latest deal with Sacramento.

In September 2026, the Kings agreed to a one-year, $3.5 million contract with Simmons.

Therefore, depending on how buyout payments and incentives are counted, career-earnings figures can differ between salary databases. However, Simmons has surpassed the $200 million mark in career NBA compensation when his major contracts and subsequent deals are considered.

How old is Ben Simmons?

Ben Simmons was born on July 20, 1996, in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.

That makes him 30 years old as of September 2026.

The NBA lists his birth date as July 20, 1996, along with his height at 6-foot-10 and weight at 240 pounds.

Simmons entered the NBA at age 20 and is now entering his 10th NBA season following his 2025-26 absence.

What happened to Ben Simmons?

Simmons’ career trajectory changed significantly after his early success in Philadelphia.

He dealt with injuries and eventually missed the entire 2021-22 season. After moving to Brooklyn, persistent back problems limited his availability and effectiveness.

During his Nets tenure, Simmons appeared in 90 games and averaged 6.5 points, 6.2 rebounds and 6.3 assists.

He joined the Clippers in 2025 and played 18 games late in that season.

Simmons then sat out the entire 2025-26 NBA season while dealing with physical issues and working toward a comeback.

His return became official in September 2026 when Sacramento agreed to sign him.

Ben Simmons and the Sacramento Kings

The Kings represent Simmons’ latest opportunity to revive his NBA career.

Sacramento agreed to a one-year, $3.5 million deal with Simmons on September 4, 2026.

The contract is dramatically smaller than the five-year, $177.2 million extension Simmons previously signed, but it gives him a chance to establish himself again in the league.

The Kings are expected to value his passing, size and defensive versatility rather than rely on him as a primary scorer.

Simmons’ career NBA averages entering this comeback are 13.1 points, 7.4 rebounds, 7.2 assists and 1.5 steals over 383 regular-season games.

What do people say about Ben Simmons on Reddit?

Ben Simmons has generated enormous discussion on Reddit, particularly among NBA and Philadelphia 76ers fans.

Reddit conversations have covered virtually every part of his career, including his LSU season, shooting, injuries, trade value and jersey numbers.

One Reddit discussion specifically asked users to list every jersey Simmons has worn, demonstrating how much interest remains in his career history.

More recent discussions have also revisited Simmons’ LSU season and his potential as an NBA prospect. In one 2026 Reddit thread, commenters argued that his college version would still have been a highly regarded draft prospect because of his size, athleticism, rebounding and playmaking.

Reddit opinions are naturally mixed. Some supporters continue to believe Simmons can be an elite defensive and passing player, while critics focus on his shooting and availability.

Reddit is not an official source

It is important to distinguish online fan discussion from verified information.

Reddit can show how fans perceive Simmons, but official statistics, contracts and team announcements are better sources for factual information.

What jersey number does Ben Simmons wear?

Jersey numbers have been an interesting part of Simmons’ NBA career.

At LSU, Simmons wore No. 25. LSU’s official roster lists him as No. 25 for the 2015-16 season.

With the Philadelphia 76ers, he also became associated with No. 25.

When Simmons moved to Brooklyn, however, he switched to No. 10. Reddit discussions at the time noted the Nets’ announcement that Simmons would wear No. 10.

He wore No. 10 with Brooklyn, while he wore No. 25 with the Los Angeles Clippers.

The NBA’s player profile currently lists his Clippers stint with No. 25.

His new Sacramento Kings jersey number had not yet been clearly established in the latest official reporting reviewed for this article, so fans should check the Kings’ official roster before purchasing a new Simmons jersey.

Ben Simmons career timeline

Simmons’ professional journey can be summarized as follows:

2015-16: Plays one season at LSU and becomes one of college basketball’s biggest stars.

2016: Philadelphia selects him No. 1 overall in the NBA Draft.

2017-18: Wins NBA Rookie of the Year.

2019: Signs a five-year, $177.24 million extension with Philadelphia.

2022: Moves to Brooklyn in the blockbuster James Harden trade.

2025: Brooklyn buys out his contract; Simmons joins the Clippers.

2025-26: Misses the entire NBA season.

September 2026: Signs a one-year, $3.5 million deal with Sacramento.

Why is Ben Simmons still valuable?

Even after several difficult seasons, Simmons offers skills that are difficult to find in a player his size.

At 6-foot-10, he has historically been an exceptional passer and transition player. His ability to defend multiple positions has also been a major part of his NBA value.

His career averages of 7.2 assists and 7.4 rebounds demonstrate how unusual his all-around skill set has been for a player of his size.

The major question is whether he can remain healthy and consistently contribute.

Sacramento does not necessarily need Simmons to return to his peak Philadelphia scoring numbers. A healthy Simmons who defends, rebounds, pushes the ball and creates opportunities for teammates could still provide useful value.

Ben Simmons FAQs

Did Ben Simmons go to college?

Yes. Ben Simmons attended LSU and played one season of college basketball in 2015-16.

How old is Ben Simmons in 2026?

Ben Simmons is 30 years old in September 2026. He was born July 20, 1996.

How much has Ben Simmons earned in the NBA?

His major contracts include a $26.62 million rookie contract and a $177.24 million five-year extension. He has subsequently earned additional money from later NBA contracts, including his 2026 Sacramento agreement.

What college did Ben Simmons attend?

Simmons attended Louisiana State University, commonly known as LSU.

What jersey number did Ben Simmons wear at LSU?

Simmons wore No. 25 at LSU.

What jersey did Ben Simmons wear with the Nets?

Simmons wore No. 10 with the Brooklyn Nets.

What team does Ben Simmons play for in 2026?

Simmons agreed to join the Sacramento Kings on a one-year, $3.5 million contract for the 2026-27 season.

Is Ben Simmons discussed on Reddit?

Yes. Simmons remains a frequent subject of NBA Reddit discussions involving his LSU career, shooting, injuries, contracts, trades and jersey history.

Final thoughts

Ben Simmons’ career has taken a remarkable path. From becoming a dominant freshman at LSU and the No. 1 pick in the 2016 NBA Draft to becoming a three-time All-Star, he reached the highest levels of the sport before injuries and other setbacks interrupted his development.

Now, at 30 years old, Simmons has another opportunity. His one-year, $3.5 million agreement with Sacramento gives him a chance to prove that his passing, rebounding and defensive abilities can still make him a valuable NBA player.

For fans searching for Ben Simmons college, career earnings, age, Reddit and jersey information, his story remains one of the NBA’s most intriguing comeback narratives.