Australian Picked Number 1 In NBA Draft pick

Ben Simmons says he can't wait to get to Philadelphia after the 76ers selected him with the No.1 pick of the NBA Draft.

The 19-year-old from Melbourne hugged his mother Julie and NBL great father Dave after NBA Commissioner Adam Silver announced the Australian was the No.1 pick inside the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, on Thursday.

"It is a great city and I'm looking forward to getting to the Philly," Simmons, with a 76ers cap on his head, told ESPN.

Simmons, who signed a $US20 million endorsement deal with Nike and will earn $US15.42 million over three years with the 76ers, faces a monumental task to turn the Philadelphia team around.

The 76ers were the worst team in the NBA last season with just 10 wins in 82 games and did not do much better the previous two years.

Simmons is the third Australian-born player drafted number one, with Andrew Bogut the top pick in 2005 and Kyrie Irving in 2011.

A second Australian has joined Ben Simmons in getting selected in the NBA draft.

The Milwaukee Bucks have picked Thon Maker at number 10.

Radio Sport