Report: 76ers leaning toward drafting LSU’s Ben Simmons with No. 1 pick

The Philadelphia 76ers are leaning towards drafting LSU star Ben Simmons with the first pick in the upcoming NBA draft.

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The Philadelphia 76ers are leaning toward drafting LSU star Ben Simmons with the first pick in the upcoming NBA draft, according to Bleacher Report. 

The team still plans to scout Duke forward Brandon Ingram, but likes the upside that Simmons presents.

The 76ers also have a connection to Simmons’s roots in Australia—head coach Brett Brown coached Simmons’s father, Dave, with the Melbourne Tigers.

Simmons was a consensus All-American in his one season at LSU. At 6'10", 240-pounds, Simmons is seen as arguably the best athlete in the draft. However, LSU missed the NCAA tournament, and there were questions about his attitude towards the game.

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The draft will be held on June 23 in New York.