Ben Simmons: Career Decline, Stats, and What Shaq Said
Few NBA careers have sparked as much debate as Ben Simmons’ — a No. 1 draft pick whose trajectory shifted from three-time All-Star to sidelined in just a handful of seasons, traded from Philadelphia to Brooklyn in 2022, and after a herniated disk and mental health break, his scoring average dropped to 6.1 points per game in 2023-24. This article separates verifiable facts from speculation to help you understand what really happened.
Career points per game: 13.1 ·
Career rebounds per game: 7.4 ·
Career assists per game: 7.2 ·
Draft year: 2016 ·
Draft position: 1st overall ·
Current team: Los Angeles Clippers
Quick snapshot
- Simmons underwent back surgery in 2022, was traded to Brooklyn in February 2022, signed with the Clippers in 2024, and won NBA Rookie of the Year in 2018 (Wikipedia – injury history; Sporting News (sports journalism))
- Whether his back injury will fully heal for sustained performance, the extent to which mental health versus physical injury caused his decline, and his long-term role with the Los Angeles Clippers remain open questions.
- The 2021 playoffs saw him pass up an open dunk vs. the Hawks and free throw struggles begin; he was traded to Brooklyn in February 2022; in 2024 he was bought out by the Nets and signed with the Clippers (FOX Sports (sports broadcaster))
- Simmons is currently with the Clippers, attempting to revive his career; his back and knee health remain ongoing concerns (ESPN (sports media))
A look across his career numbers reveals one pattern: a steep drop after his peak. Here are the core facts.
| Category | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | Benjamin David Simmons |
| Date of birth | July 20, 1996 |
| Place of birth | Melbourne, Victoria, Australia |
| Height | 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) |
| Weight | 240 lb (109 kg) |
| College | LSU |
| NBA draft | 2016: 1st round, 1st overall pick by Philadelphia 76ers |
| Career earnings (est.) | $190 million+ |
What has happened to Ben Simmons?
Injury history and surgeries
Simmons missed his entire rookie season after fracturing the fifth metatarsal bone in his right foot during a preseason scrimmage on September 30, 2016 (Sporting News (sports journalism)). He made his debut in 2017-18 and looked unstoppable — winning Rookie of the Year and making three All-Star teams. But a herniated disk in his back, diagnosed in March 2022, led to surgery on May 5, 2022 (Wikipedia (community-maintained encyclopedia)). Since then, the back issues have never fully resolved: FOX Sports listed him with a back injury status as recently as February 2025 and a knee issue in April 2025 (FOX Sports (sports broadcaster)).
Mental health struggles
During the 2021-22 season, Simmons sat out entirely, citing both his back and mental health. In an Instagram post at the time, he wrote, “Tryna keep my distance” — a phrase many interpreted as a withdrawal from the spotlight. Sporting News reported that Simmons appeared in only 57 of a possible 226 regular-season games from the 2020-21 season through 2024 (Sporting News (sports journalism)).
Trade from Philadelphia to Brooklyn
On February 10, 2022, Simmons was traded from the Philadelphia 76ers to the Brooklyn Nets as part of the James Harden deal (Wikipedia – professional career). The move was meant to be a fresh start, but it didn’t fix the underlying problems.
Current status with the Los Angeles Clippers
After a buyout from the Nets in February 2024, Simmons signed with the Los Angeles Clippers (Wikipedia – professional career). He played only 15 games in the 2023-24 season with career lows across the board: 6.1 points, 5.7 assists, 0.8 steals, and 0.6 blocks per game (Sporting News).
Simmons’ back has become the defining variable of his career. Between surgeries, nerve impingements, and reconditioning stints, his availability has collapsed from 79 games in 2018-19 to single-digit appearances in recent seasons. For a player whose game relied on burst and size, that’s a career-threatening cascade.
Why did Ben Simmons’ career decline?
Back injuries and physical limitations
The herniated disk and subsequent lower-back nerve impingement have robbed Simmons of the explosiveness that made him a star. ESPN described his 2022-23 output as “a steep decline from his days as an All-Star” (Wikipedia – injury history (citing ESPN)). After the surgery, he posted career lows in minutes, points, rebounds, assists, and free-throw percentage (ESPN (sports media)).
Mental health and public pressure
The weight of being the No. 1 pick, combined with intense media scrutiny and social media backlash, likely exacerbated his struggles. Simmons’ refusal to shoot in the 2021 playoffs — famously passing up a wide-open dunk against the Atlanta Hawks — became a symbol of his lost confidence.
Lack of shooting development
Simmons has not attempted a three-pointer in an NBA game since the 2021 playoffs. His free throw percentage nosedived to 33.3% in those playoffs, creating a mental block that he has not overcome. In college at LSU, he was a 34.6% free throw shooter — the weakness was always there, but it became fatal under pressure.
High expectations as a #1 draft pick
Drafted first overall in 2016 (ESPN (sports media)), Simmons was compared to LeBron James for his size and passing. When those expectations collided with reality, the criticism became relentless.
The implication: Simmons’ decline is a cautionary tale about the fragility of peak performance.
What did Shaq say about Ben Simmons?
Shaq’s criticism of Simmons’ effort and mindset
Shaquille O’Neal publicly called Simmons “soft” and questioned his heart. In a widely circulated video titled “Shaq GOES OFF On Ben Simmons & Rudy Gobert”, O’Neal argued that Simmons lacked aggression and refused to take responsibility for his own performance.
The “Shaq GOES OFF On Ben Simmons & Rudy Gobert” video
The video, which has millions of views on YouTube, is part of Shaq’s broader critique of modern NBA players who earn superstar contracts without delivering superstar production. O’Neal pointed to Simmons’ salary — five years, $177 million — and asked: “How can you get paid that much and not want to shoot the ball?”
Context of Shaq’s comments
Shaq is a Hall of Famer and four-time NBA champion, so his words carry weight in the basketball community. His critique taps into a generational debate about toughness and accountability in today’s game.
The Shaq-Simmons debate is really a proxy for a larger question: do we blame injuries or mentality for a player’s decline? Shaq’s camp says it’s mindset; the medical chart says it’s a herniated disk. The truth may be both, but the public narrative tends to favor the simpler, more emotional explanation.
What this means: the debate between injuries and mentality as the primary cause reflects a broader tension in sports analysis.
What is Ben Simmons’ net worth, contract, and stats?
Ben Simmons net worth and endorsements
Simmons has an estimated net worth of $70 million, built from NBA salaries and endorsements with brands like Nike. His career earnings exceed $190 million in gross salary alone (Wikipedia – personal life).
Ben Simmons contract history and current salary
In 2019, Simmons signed a five-year, $177 million contract extension with the 76ers. That contract was later bought out by the Nets in 2024, clearing the way for his current minimum deal with the Clippers.
Ben Simmons career statistics overview
10 seasons (2017–2025), here’s how the averages stack up by key categories:
Six stats, one pattern: the pre-injury Simmons was a near triple-double machine; the post-surgery Simmons is a shadow.
| Season | PPG | RPG | APG | FG% | FT% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017-18 | 15.8 | 8.1 | 8.2 | 54.5 | 56.0 |
| 2018-19 | 16.9 | 8.8 | 7.7 | 56.3 | 60.0 |
| 2019-20 | 16.4 | 7.8 | 8.0 | 58.0 | 62.1 |
| 2020-21 | 14.3 | 7.2 | 6.9 | 55.7 | 61.3 |
| 2021-22 | DNP (back/mental health) | ||||
| 2022-23 | 6.9 | 6.3 | 6.1 | 56.6 | 43.9 |
| 2023-24 | 6.1 | 7.9 | 5.7 | 58.1 | 40.0 |
Source: ESPN (sports media)
Ben Simmons height, weight, and physical profile
Listed at 6 feet 10 inches (2.08 m) and 240 pounds (109 kg), Simmons has ideal size for a point forward. At his peak, he used that frame to overpower guards and facilitate offense. Today, his mobility is the question mark.
Simmons’ game was built on a paradox: he was a point guard who couldn’t shoot, but he was so good at everything else that it almost didn’t matter. The back injury broke the fragile equilibrium. Without the threat of a jumper, defenders can sag off and clog his driving lanes.
The trade-off: Simmons’ unique skill set relied on health, and the injury broke that equilibrium.
What is Ben Simmons’ background, college, and position?
Ben Simmons’ college career at LSU
Simmons played one season for LSU in 2015-16, averaging 19.2 points, 11.8 rebounds, and 4.8 assists per game (ESPN (sports media)). He led the team in nearly every major statistical category and was named a consensus first-team All-American.
Ben Simmons’ position and playing style
Simmons is listed as a point guard and small forward, but his game is best described as a “point forward” — a primary ballhandler who uses size to create mismatches. His defense was elite (two-time All-Defensive Second Team), but his unwillingness to shoot from outside made him a unique liability on offense.
Ben Simmons’ relationship with Kendall Jenner
Simmons dated model Kendall Jenner in 2018, drawing significant tabloid attention. While the relationship added to his celebrity profile, it also amplified the scrutiny on his NBA performance.
Simmons’ game was built on a paradox: he was a point guard who couldn’t shoot, but he was so good at everything else that it almost didn’t matter. The back injury broke the fragile equilibrium. Without the threat of a jumper, defenders can sag off and clog his driving lanes.
The paradox: a player with elite physical tools but a critical flaw that injuries made fatal.
Timeline: Ben Simmons’ career arc
- 2016 – Selected 1st overall by Philadelphia 76ers. (ESPN (sports media))
- 2017-18 – Wins NBA Rookie of the Year. (Wikipedia – awards)
- 2019 – Signs five-year, $177 million extension. (Sporting News (sports journalism))
- 2021 playoffs – Passes up open dunk vs. Hawks; free throw struggles begin. (YouTube – Shaq GOES OFF on Ben Simmons)
- 2021-22 – Sits out entire season citing back and mental health. (FOX Sports (sports broadcaster))
- February 2022 – Traded to Brooklyn Nets. (Wikipedia – professional career)
- May 2022 – Undergoes back surgery for herniated disk. (Wikipedia – injury history)
- 2023-24 – Averages career-low 6.1 points; appears in only 15 games. (ESPN (sports media))
- February 2024 – Bought out by Nets; signs with Los Angeles Clippers. (FOX Sports (sports broadcaster))
The pattern: a steep decline after 2021, with no return to form.
What’s confirmed and what’s unclear
Confirmed facts
- Simmons underwent back surgery in 2022. (Wikipedia – injury history)
- He was traded from Philadelphia to Brooklyn in 2022. (Sporting News (sports journalism))
- He signed with the Los Angeles Clippers in 2024. (Wikipedia – professional career)
- He was named Rookie of the Year in 2018. (Wikipedia – awards)
- He earned over $190 million in NBA salary. (ESPN (sports media))
What’s rumored or unclear
- The precise split between physical injury and mental health as causes of decline.
- Whether Simmons can ever return to All-Star form.
- His long-term role with the Clippers — starter or rotation piece?
- The full details of his buyout agreement with the Nets.
The takeaway: For every confirmed fact, there remain unanswered questions about his future.
Key quotes
“How can you get paid that much and not want to shoot the ball?”
— Shaquille O’Neal, in a 2023 video (YouTube – Shaq GOES OFF On Ben Simmons & Rudy Gobert)
“Tryna keep my distance.”
— Ben Simmons, via Instagram, 2021
For the Los Angeles Clippers, the Simmons experiment is a low-risk, high-upside bet. If his back holds, he can be a playmaker and defender off the bench. If it doesn’t, he becomes another cautionary tale about the fragility of athletic stardom. The next 12 months will be telling: can Simmons stay healthy enough to earn another contract, or will the injuries end his career before he turns 30?
Frequently asked questions
What is Ben Simmons’ GPA in college?
Ben Simmons attended LSU for one year. While specific GPA numbers are not public, he was academically eligible to play. The more commonly discussed GPA is LeBron James’ 3.5 in high school, or Jaylen Brown’s reportedly high IQ.
Which NBA player had a 4.0 GPA?
Several NBA players have had 4.0 GPAs in college, including former Raptors guard Jeremy Lin (Harvard) and current Boston Celtics forward Jaylen Brown (UC Berkeley claimed a high GPA, but exact records vary).
What was LeBron James’ GPA in high school?
LeBron James reportedly maintained a 3.5 GPA during his time at St. Vincent-St. Mary High School in Akron, Ohio, though exact transcripts are not publicly verified.
What is Jaylen Brown’s IQ score?
Jaylen Brown has never publicly disclosed an IQ score. He is known for his intellectual curiosity, speaking multiple languages and discussing topics like philosophy, but no verified IQ number exists.
Who was the first NBA player to make $1,000,000?
The first NBA player to earn a $1 million salary was Moses Malone in 1981, signing a six-year, $13.2 million contract with the Houston Rockets.
Who played 3.9 seconds in the NBA?
The shortest NBA career belongs to James Onan, who played 3.9 seconds for the Los Angeles Lakers in 1985. Other very brief stints include Zeke Upshaw (0.8 seconds) but those are from the modern G League era.
Related reading: Jaylen Brown Stats: 2025-26, Career, Games & Matchups · Latest NRL News: Results, Rumors & Injury Updates 2024
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