April 21, 2015
It is rare when you get a group of people to agree on anything. However, that is not the case when talking about incoming LSU freshman Ben Simmons, who will lead the Tigers against NC State, Marquette, and Arizona State in the Legends Classic at Barclays Center, November 23-24.
Tickets for the Championship Rounds of the Legends Classic are on sale and may be purchased through TicketMaster by calling (800) 745-3000 or on-line.
The Gatorade and Naismith National Player of the Year, McDonald’s All-American, and MVP of the Dick’s Sporting Goods National High School Championship has earned accolades from sportswriters, coaches, and NBA scouts.
Jeff Goodman, ESPN.com:
“He has the strength, handle and athleticism to get to the basket – especially at the high school level – virtually whenever he wants. He’s able to finish above the rim and has tremendous body control. There was some thought, not too long ago, that the Aussie was too nice, too passive. However, he’s become far more assertive in the past year or so, and now he’s comfortable with being an alpha dog on the court.
“Simmons is the odds-on favorite to be the No. 1 pick in the 2016 NBA draft.”
Jack Winter, Dime Magazine:
“Simmons truly stands out with the ball in his hands. He boasts the court sense and general nuance of a primary playmaker, an all-encompassing attribute combined with his physical tools that make the common ‘poor man’s LeBron James’ description seem very apt. Simmons is a willing and creative passer with a natural understanding of pace and angles normally reserved for point guards.”
Chris Mannix, SI.com:
“With power forward size, center length and guard skills, Simmons is a Scottie Pippen-type package. ‘An absolute stud,’ declared one NBA assistant general manager. ‘All the tools,’ added a personnel scout. After watching Simmons work all week (in the McDonald’s All-America game), East coach Bruce Kelley called Simmons ‘our most selfless player.'”
Montverde Academy head coach Kevin Boyle:
“Ben Simmons is an electrifying player. He’s a great rebounder and he has the ability to help teammates get better. I think he’s the best high school player in the country and the scary thing is I think he can get a lot better. He’s improved each year because he recognizes he can keep getting better.”
NBA scout to Yahoo Sports:
“He can play on any NBA team right now. He’s big and sees the game like a point guard. He can guard shooting guards, small forwards and power forwards. That’s real talent. He looks 7-footers in the eye. Just skip him and go on to evaluate the next guy.”
You can see what they’re talking about at Barclays Center in November.