Playing in front of a charged crowd at Montverde (FL) Academy and a national television audience on ESPN2, Ben Simmons showed why he’s considered a future star in the college and pro ranks.
The 6-foot-10 Simmons displayed his explosive game as a point-forward while notching a triple-double of 22 points, 10 assists and 10 rebounds as Montverde, the No. 1 team in the ESPN high school basketball rankings, remained unbeaten with a 78-64 victory over No. 12 Oakland (CA) Bishop O’Dowd.
“I had a goal ahead of me which was to be considered the top player in America for high school and I’ve finally reached that point where some call me the top three,” the Australian product said on ESPN2 before the game.
“I’m at a stage now where I’m just trying to make my team better and get to the next level and make myself get better.”
Simmons, projected as the No. 2 pick in the 2016 NBA Draft by DraftExpress, has said he could be one-and-done at LSU.
Ivan Rabb, the uncommitted 6-10 star of O’Dowd, was saddled with three first-half fouls but finished with 22 points and nine rebounds.
Rabb is considering Kentucky, Kansas, Arizona, Cal and UCLA, and is set to visit Arizona Jan. 3.
Austin Walker added 14 points and six assists for O’Dowd.
Ty Graves , the 2016 point guard who recently transferred to Montverde, added 12 points and Wake Forest-bound 7-footer Doral Moore added nine points for Kevin Boyle’s club. Rice-bound Marquez Letcher-Ellis had nine points and five boards.
