Ben Simmons started strong as the first pick in the 2016 NBA Draft. He won Rookie of the Year and made three All-Star teams, looking like a future superstar. But his progres didnlt last long in the league.
After a messy exit from the Philadelphia 76ers, three injury-plagued years with the Brooklyn Nets, and a brief 18-game run with the Los Angeles Clippers, where he averaged just 2.9 points in 18 games, his career stalled miserably.
Simmons, 29, is currently an unrestricted free agent, having earned approximately $203.4 million across his NBA career. But today he spends more time fishing than playing basketball.
On Tuesday, Simmons posted an Instagram clip from Freeport in the Bahamas showing him reeling in a massive yellowfin tuna. The post also included an infrared scan of his catch, signaling a serious sport-fishing operation.
Shirtless and in shorts, he held a fish larger than most carry-on luggage and penned, "Popping it in Freeport 🎣 #yellowfintuna."
This tracks, given that Simmons became the majority owner of the South Florida Sails in the Sport Fishing Championship last year, a professional offshore fishing league. Seems like the Melbourne native is genuinely building a second career on the ocean. And folks in the comments had no complaints about whatever he is doing right now.
"My boy won in life, why would he wanna deal with the NBA when he's up $200 mill and can fish all day," one viewer wrote.
Another simply declared him "the goat."
A third viewer noted, "Fish don't know what hit them."
The third fan remarked, "Dude is living his best life while everyone else in the league is getting dogwalked by Wemby."
In December, he told Andscape he was rehabilitating with two-a-day workouts six days a week. Because back injuries significantly affect an athlete's core stability and power, Simmons has stated he will not sign with a team until he is at his physical peak.
His current “fully heal” phase involves a strict two-a-day rehab program to strengthen his core and legs, aiming to prevent yet another nerve flare-up if he returns to NBA-level intensity.
