LeBron James praises Ben Simmons, says he has been mentoring him
Ben Simmons, touted as the likely No. 1 pick in the NBA Draft, received a ringing endorsement from none other than LeBron James.
James vouched for Simmons on Saturday, calling himself a mentor and saying that he has all the tools to be a very successful NBA players.
“Well, I think he’s a great young talent,” James said, via James Herbert of CBS Sports. “I think the way he displays on the basketball court, we all notice. I think we all don’t know just yet how great of a kid he is and how down to earth he is with the game of basketball and life in general. I had an opportunity to spend a lot of time over the last couple years with him and his family. They’re just so very appreciative of the opportunity that they’ve been given as a family. Also, they give everything to their son. They want the best for him. And as a mentor to him and big brother to him, I also give him a lot of advice on what to expect when he makes his jump next week, how to handle it. But he also has to figure it out on his own as well because everybody’s path is different.”
James and Simmons share an agent in Rich Paul, in the interest of full disclosure. James was also evasive when asked if the Philadelphia 76ers should select Simmons No. 1 overall.
“I’m not a GM,” James said. “I don’t get paid by the Sixers. So I’m not going to answer that.”
The Sixers probably weren’t waiting for a James endorsement, as reports indicated that they already prefer Simmons No. 1. Still, it can’t hurt to have someone of James’s stature in your corner sticking up for you and helping you out.
