Australian basketball star Ben Simmons hasn’t taken too kindly to a prank made at his expense.
The Brooklyn Nets guard was minding his own business at a candy store when he was approached by comedian Gerald Huston who repeatedly called him Russell Westbrook.
Yikes.
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In a clip that has since gone viral on Huston’s Instagram, the comedian looks to run up to Simmons like a crazed fan.
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He yells: “Oh my God. It’s you, bro!”
Simmons looks to appease what he probably thinks is an overbearing fan by giving him a fist pump, however, things turn awkward as Huston goes deeper into the prank.
Huston continues: “Russell Westbrook, bro! Russell Westbrook, bro! Oh my god, bro!”
While initially appearing unfazed Simmons quickly turns hostile after Huston calls him by Los Angeles Lakers player’s name over and over again.
He sharply hits back, repeatedly saying: “Don’t play with me.”
Two others that look to be shopping with Simmons tell the man to ‘chill out’ and equally don’t look impressed with the joke.
Huston continues to get under Simmons' skin, saying: “I ain’t playing with you bro. Russell Westbrook bro. Can’t shoot bro. I’m sorry, bro!”
Simmons wasn’t having any of it.
Huston captioned the video: “Omg I met Russell Westbrook.”
The comedian has a history of similar style videos of approaching people and deliberately mistaking them for another celebrity, often making for some awkward encounters.
In one video Huston approached former Lakers player Lamar Odom and got under his skin by calling him Kevin Garnett.
People were in stitches in the comments of Huston’s video, while others warned him he may be taking it too far.
One fan commented: “Yo you wilding. You better stop playing with these basketball players. They tall asf.”
Another said: “That man just trying to get some candy. Wasn’t expecting the bulls**t.”
Whilst a third quipped: “He ganna need time off after this one lmao.”
The Aussie has yet to play for the Nets since he was acquired in February in a blockbuster trade from the Sixers that saw James Harden go the other way.
He sat out all of last season due to a back injury and mental health issues.
Topics: NBA, Basketball, Ben Simmons, Australia
Jayden Collins