Aussie Ben Simmons Selected In NBA All-Star Game

Ben Simmons has been selected for the NBA All-Star game for the third time in his career.

Leading up the team announcements, basketball fans and experts weren't quite sure whether Simmons would be included in the Eastern Conference player pool.

The Philadelphia 76ers guard is currently averaging 15.7 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 7.9 assists per game for the season but has improved drastically over the past few weeks.

And it seems his performances have earned him a spot in the prestigious game which will feature plenty of big-name NBA stars.

The Australian fan favourite joins the likes of James Harden, Julius Randle, Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Zach LaVine and Nikola Vucevic in a stacked Eastern Conference player pool.

Starting for the East is Kyrie Irving, Bradley Beal, team captain Kevin Durant, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Simmons' Philadelphia 76ers teammate Joel Embiid.

As for the West, their entire line up is equally as strong.

In their starting side they boast Stephen Curry, Luka Doncic, skipper LeBron James, Kawhi Leonard and Nikola Jokic, while the player pool consists of Chris Paul, Paul George, Damian Lillard, Donovan Mitchell, Rudy Gobert, Zion Williamson and Anthony Davis.

The starters have been confirmed but team captains LeBron James and Kevin Durant will select their benches from the player pool during NBA All-Star Draft Show on March 4 (AEDT).

As for the game itself, that'll take place at State Farm Arena in Atlanta on March 8.

PA

FULL TEAM LIST FOR THE 2021 ALL-STAR GAME:

Western Conference starters:

Stephen Curry, G - Golden State Warriors

Luka Doncic, G - Dallas Mavericks

LeBron James, F - Los Angeles Lakers (captain)

Kawhi Leonard, F - Los Angeles Clippers

Nikola Jokic, C - Denver Nuggets

Western Conference reserves:

Chris Paul (Phoenix Suns)

Paul George (Los Angeles Clippers)

Damian Lillard (Portland Trail Blazers)

Donovan Mitchell (Utah Jazz)

Rudy Gobert (Utah Jazz)

Zion Williamson (New Orleans Pelicans)

Anthony Davis (Los Angeles Lakers)

Eastern Conference starters:

Kyrie Irving (Brooklyn Nets)

Bradley Beal (Washington Wizards)

Kevin Durant (Brooklyn Nets)

Giannis Antetokounmpo (Milwaukee Bucks)

Joel Embiid (Philadelphia 76ers)

Eastern Conference reserves:

James Harden (Brooklyn Nets)

Julius Randle (New York Knicks)

Jayson Tatum (Boston Celtics)

Jaylen Brown (Boston Celtics)

Zach LaVine (Chicago Bulls)

Ben Simmons (Philadelphia 76ers)

Nikola Vucevic (Orlando Magic)

Topics: Basketball, NBA, Ben Simmons, Australia

Max Sherry

Max Sherry is a journalist for SPORTbible Australia. After migrating Down Under from London as a teenager, he instantly fell in love with Aussie sport and its culture. From NRL to AFL, cricket to rugby — you name it, Max watches it (with a beer in hand, of course). During his time at Fox Sports, he worked in the football department covering the Premier League, A-League, Socceroos and Matildas. Born a stone's throw away from West Ham's training ground, Max is obviously a die-hard Liverpool fan.

@maxysherry