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Ben Simmons Announces Decision on NBA Retirement

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | Last updated Sep 15, 2025 7:21 PM ET

Three-time NBA All-Star Ben Simmons has experienced a challenging career. The No. 1 overall pick by the Philadelphia 76ers in 2016, Simmons missed his entire first season with a foot injury suffered in training camp. He returned the following season, winning Rookie of the Year with averages of 15.8 points, 8.1 rebounds and 8.2 assists.

Simmons was an All-Star each of the next three seasons, also making two All-Defensive teams and an All-NBA team. One of the game's fastest-rising two-way stars, Simmons was a true force in his early years.

Then came more injuries and mental health challenges that cost Simmons all of the 2021-22 season, and he has never been the same player.

After averaging 15.9 points, 8.1 rebounds and 7.7 assists in his first four NBA seasons, Simmons has struggled to generate half of that production since. In his last three seasons, which include just 108 total appearances, Simmons has averaged 5.9 points, 5.8 rebounds and 5.8 assists.

This drop-off has him currently unsigned in NBA free agency, leading to retirement speculation. Earlier this month, New York Post's Stefan Bondy reported that Simmons was considering retirement. However, the former LA Clippers guard announced on Monday that is not true.

"No," he wrote in response to a fan asking if he is retiring.

Ben Simmons is NOT retired

(h/t @CourtsideBuzzX) pic.twitter.com/SG0cC5aaCD
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) September 15, 2025

Simmons spent last season between the Clippers and Brooklyn Nets, appearing in 51 total games. The versatile 6-foot-10 Australian averaged 5.0 points, 4.7 rebounds and 5.6 assists. He played both backup point guard and backup center for LA, but was phased out of Ty Lue's rotation in the playoffs.

While he has announced the decision not to retire, Simmons still does not have a team with training camps just two weeks away.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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