Ben Simmons might be off the basketball court for now, but he’s not stepping away from competition entirely.
The 29-year-old former NBA first-overall pick has invested in a Sport Fishing Championship team, joining the South Florida Sails Angling Club as a co-owner.
“I have always believed that investing in what you love means you have a responsibility to help move it forward,” Simmons said.
“Sportfishing has given me incredible experiences, and SFC is creating a platform that treats offshore fishing like the elite sport it is.”
A New Venture With Familiar Faces
Simmons isn’t the only sportsman involved.
Zach Smith, a former Mississippi State college football player, also holds an ownership stake.
Together, they aim to elevate the visibility of competitive offshore fishing, turning it into a more recognized and respected sport.
From NBA Stardom to Fishing Lines
Drafted first overall in 2016 out of LSU, Simmons was a three-time All-Star with the Philadelphia 76ers before injuries and shooting struggles derailed his career.
Stints with the Brooklyn Nets and Los Angeles Clippers followed, but the 6-foot-9 point forward never regained his early momentum.
Fans Are Quick With Jokes
News of Simmons’ fishing venture didn’t take long to spark online humor.
Many took jabs at his historic shooting woes:
“Ben Simmons chose fishing instead of hunting cuz he knows he can’t shoot,” one fan quipped.
Observers also pointed out Simmons’ peculiar left-handed shooting, noting that his natural right-hand dominance might have hindered his basketball performance.
“Ben Simmons casts right and retrieves left, a technique that allows right-handed anglers to keep their dominant hand on the rod for maximum control,” wrote Kevin O’Connor of Yahoo! Sports.
Basketball Stats That Made Headlines
Simmons’ NBA career stats remain a talking point.
He never attempted a single three-pointer and finished with just 59.2% accuracy at the free-throw line.
His career was also punctuated by periods of rest and what fans dubbed “load management,” jokes that have now humorously followed him into his new sportfishing venture.
What’s Next for Simmons?
After a brief stint with the Clippers last season, Simmons went unsigned heading into the 2025-26 NBA season.
While his basketball future remains uncertain, his dive into the world of competitive sportfishing shows that his competitive spirit is very much alive—just with a fishing rod in hand instead of a basketball.
Ben Simmons’ pivot highlights how athletes can channel their skills, focus, and fame into new ventures—whether on land, court, or sea.
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