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Ben Simmons embracing role as young NBA All-Star

Ben Simmons had no issues with fitting in when it came to the scrum of reporters around him during the Rising Stars Media Availability on Friday morning.

The second year Rising Star and first time All-Star looked like he belonged, joking with some of the reporters who threw some off-the-wall questions at him, and thoughtfully responding to the questions about basketball, his brand, and his hopes to use the Team World platform to influence the league.

”It’s just another platform and opportunity for us to come out here and show what we can do.” Simmons said. “I love being a part of the World team. I love coming to an event like this and playing with guys from all over.”

Simmons has not only grabbed the eyes of the veterans and media across the NBA this season with his eye-popping numbers (16.8ppg/9.0rpg/7.9apg with a 57.1efg%) but his peers have noticed as well.

“Ben had the talent from the beginning,” Jarrett Allen said. “He’s 6’9”, amazing passer, amazing finisher. All he needs to do is improve the jumpshot and he’s going to be a for sure all-star for the rest of his life. Seeing the improvement he has made gives me a lot of confidence in myself [to make a similar jump].”

“I think Ben has been great,” Trae Young said. “Him and Joel, and all those guys over there in Philly...with him and Joel at the head of it, leading them to a high seed as of right now in the Eastern Conference — that’s the reason why he’s an All-Star. Winning takes care of a lot of things and he’s definitely done a good job winning. He’s definitely motivation.”

Some more quotes from Simmons media availability:

Simmons and Team World will look to win against Team USA for the 4th time in 5 match-ups of this format tonight from the Spectrum center at 9:00 pm.

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