If you’ve watched a single NBA game in the last decade, you’ve heard the name. Ben Simmons. Usually, the conversation is about his jump shot, his back injuries, or his wild trade sagas. But there’s a funny thing that happens when he opens his mouth in an interview. People pause. They realize he doesn't sound like he's from Philly or Brooklyn. He sounds... different.
Honestly, it’s because he is. So, where is Ben Simmons from?
The short answer is Melbourne, Australia. But the full story is a lot more layered than just a birthplace on a passport. It’s a mix of an American father, an Australian mother, and a childhood spent playing sports that look nothing like basketball.
The Melbourne and Newcastle Years
Ben was born on July 20, 1996, in the Melbourne suburb of Fitzroy. If you know anything about Melbourne, you know it’s a sports-mad city. But he didn't stay there long at first. When he was just 18 months old, the family moved to Newcastle, New South Wales.
This is where the foundation was laid. His dad, Dave Simmons, was an American who had moved to Australia in 1989 to play for the Melbourne Tigers in the NBL. Dave became a legend over there. He met Ben’s mom, Julie, who was a local.
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Growing up in Newcastle, Ben wasn’t just a "basketball kid." He was a total athlete. He spent his weekends playing junior rugby league and Australian rules football (AFL). You can actually see it in his game today—the way he absorbs contact and looks for open lanes. That’s the rugby influence. It’s a certain kind of toughness that’s baked into the Australian sports culture.
By the time he was 10, the family moved back to Melbourne. This is where things got serious. He started playing for the Knox Raiders and eventually earned a scholarship to the Australian Institute of Sport.
Moving to the States: The Big Shift
At 16, Ben made a choice that changed everything. He left his family to move to the United States. He ended up at Montverde Academy in Florida.
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Imagine being a teenager, moving 10,000 miles away from home to a country where you’re suddenly the "new guy" with a weird accent. It wasn't easy. But he absolutely dominated. He led Montverde to three straight national championships. This is the period where most American fans first "discovered" him, assuming he was just another high-flying recruit from Florida.
He stayed in the South for college, playing his lone season at LSU. Even though the team struggled, Ben was a walking highlight reel. It felt like he was destined for greatness from the jump.
The Identity Tug-of-War
One of the most interesting things about where Ben Simmons is from is how he's perceived in his home country. In Australia, the relationship is... complicated.
A lot of Aussies feel a bit slighted. He’s pulled out of several Olympic campaigns for the "Boomers" (the Australian national team), citing various injuries or the need to focus on his NBA career. While stars like Patty Mills and Joe Ingles are treated like national heroes for their commitment to the green and gold, Ben is often viewed with a bit of skepticism back in Melbourne.
Yet, he still carries the "Aussie" label everywhere. He’s the third Melbourne-born player to be picked number one overall in the NBA draft, following Andrew Bogut and Kyrie Irving (who was born there but identifies as American).
Where is Ben Simmons Now?
As of early 2026, the geography of Ben's career has shifted again. After the messy exit from Philadelphia and a frustrating, injury-plagued stint with the Brooklyn Nets, he's currently a free agent working out in Los Angeles.
His contract with the Nets was bought out in February 2025. He briefly signed with the Los Angeles Clippers, but the recurring back issues have been a nightmare. He recently told The Athletic that he's taking an extended rehab period to become "bulletproof" before he signs his next deal. He's nearly 30 years old now. It’s a far cry from the teenage phenom who landed in Florida with a dream and a thick Australian accent.
Practical Takeaways for Fans
If you're following the Ben Simmons saga, here’s what you actually need to know about his background and current status:
- Dual Citizenship: He holds both Australian and American passports, but he has always represented Australia in international competition (when he plays).
- Melbourne Roots: He still considers Melbourne home and usually heads back once a year to run basketball camps for kids.
- Style of Play: If his passing looks "different," it's because it is. His vision was sharpened by playing AFL and rugby as a child, where tracking moving targets across a wide field is the name of the game.
- Health Status: He is currently focusing on a long-term recovery in LA. Don't expect him back on the court until he’s 100% sure his back can handle the hits.
Knowing where a player is from tells you more than just their hometown. For Ben, it explains the collision of American basketball DNA and Australian grit. Whether he can ever get back to his All-Star form remains the biggest question in the league, but his journey from Melbourne to the bright lights of the NBA is still one of the most unique stories in the sport.
To stay updated on his return, keep a close eye on injury reports coming out of the Los Angeles training facilities this spring.