It’s a fresh start for Ben Simmons in Brooklyn, and the Australian will have a fresh start with a brand new number. Simmons will wear the number 10 shirt with the Nets this season.
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Simmons was delivered to the Nets at the transaction deadline in a deal that saw James Harden go to Philadelphia. The 6-foot-10 Australian has been out of shape all season after he asked to leave the Sixers in the summer.
One of the points worth mentioning, when the deal is done, is which Brooklyn number Simmons will get because his 25 isn’t available.
.@ BenSimmons25 complete it on BOTH endings pic.twitter.com/z4ihRhjlEC
– Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) February 11, 2022
Simmons has worn 25 caps his entire NBA career with the Nets and his only season with LSU.
It’s the number his father wore as a professional basketball player with the Melbourne Tigers in the Australian National Basketball League.
While at Montverde Academy High School, Simmons wore number 22.
Why can’t Simmons wear the number 25 with the Nets?
Number 25 was retired by the Nets to Bill Melchionni, who starred for the Nets when they were an ABA franchise, winning two titles and three All-Star teams.
Melchionni played for the Nets from 1969-76. His jersey number is one of six retired shirts for the Nets franchise, including Julius Erving (32), John Williamson (23), Buck Williams (52), Drazen Petrovic (3) and Jason Kidd (5). ).
What number will Simmons wear?
On Friday, the Nets announced that Simmons will wear the number 10 shirt for the rest of the season.
New digits pic.twitter.com/0pDHLYhIXW
– Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) February 11, 2022
Simmons is expected to continue playing against Brooklyn after the All-Star break, but according to Nets coach Steve Nash, he still has ways to get back on his feet.
