SYDNEY, July 17 (Xinhua) -- Australian NBA star Ben Simmons has pulled out of representing his home country at the upcoming basketball World Cup in China -- on the same day that the 22-year-old made history by signing the most valuable contract ever by an Aussie athlete.
The Philadelphia 76ers confirmed on Wednesday they had locked down the 2.08-meter-tall point guard with a staggering 170 million U.S. dollars contract extension, that will see Simmons at the American club for another five years.
But unfortunately for Aussie fans, this will mean the 2018 NBA Rookie of the Year will no take part in the national team's World Cup campaign in August.
"I wanted to let everyone know that after consulting with my representation, I've made the difficult decision to forego playing in the World Cup in China this summer," Simmons posted to Twitter.
"I will still be heading back home to Australia to host my camps as well as train and play with the Boomers in the upcoming exhibition games. I'm really excited about the talent we have on the Boomers squad, especially moving closer to 2020 where I will be honoured and humbled to represent my country on the world's biggest sporting stage at the Olympics in Tokyo," he added.
"Ultimately we decided it was best that I use the time in September to return to Philadelphia to acquaint myself with my new teammates and prepare for the upcoming NBA season."
While the news is a bitter blow for Aussie basketball fans, lovers of game in China may be equally as disappointed after the Simmons posted to his Weibo account in June, "Ni Hao China! Thanks for all the support this season... I'm happy to say I'm looking forward to representing my country Australia in the upcoming @FIBA World Cup in China."
Although Boomers coach Andrej Lemanis is realistic about the chances of Simmons taking part in the World Cup, he told local media there is still some hope of him playing.
"This is not new to us and we will continue our dialogue with Ben, and his agent Rich Paul, and see how it plays out," he said.
"There is a genuine desire from Ben to play and we hope that circumstances unfold favorably to allow him to do so."
