Sixers News: Richaun Holmes thinks Ben Simmons can be a ‘generational superstar’

Richaun Holmes was one of the great stories of the 2016-17 Sixers season, with the second-year big somehow carving out a role in a crowded front court. Assuming the Sixers eventually move on from Jahlil Okafor, there’s a clear path for him to become the primary back-up behind franchise anchor Joel Embiid.

That means Holmes should be getting plenty of minutes alongside Ben Simmons, and he seems excited about the opportunity. In a conversation with Alex Kennedy for Hoops Hype, Holmes said anything is possible for last year’s No. 1 pick.

Man, I’ve never seen anything like it, to be honest. To be 7-feet tall and be able to move the way he does and have that skill set, I’ve never seen anyone like him. And I think the thing that stands out most to me is just how hard he plays. Whether it’s a practice or a workout or a drill, he plays hard every second that he’s on the court. When you see his work ethic mixed with that talent, the sky is the limit. He could be that next generational superstar. He’s definitely special.

Holmes has seen first hand what Simmons can do, and not just in the practice facility. If you recall, a number of Simmons’ Summer League highlights last year involved Holmes, whose skill set meshes perfectly alongside the Aussie. With Simmons’ knack for playmaking and Holmes combination of soft hands and big hops, there are a lot more plays like this in their future:

The good vibes are rollin’ in Philadelphia right now. Simmons getting such a strong endorsement from Holmes—despite not playing in a regular season game yet—says a lot about what his teammates think of him, and bodes well for the Sixers’ future.