He’s arguably the most naturally gifted basketball player Australia has ever produced—but can he catch a marlin?
That’s the latest challenge that awaits 3-time NBA All Star Ben Simmons after it was announced the 29-year-old former number one draft pick has decided to go fishing to become the controlling operator of the Miami-based ‘South Florida Sails’ in the Sport Fishing Championship, or SFC.
SFC is an offshore saltwater fishing league with tournaments featuring professional anglers from 16 clubs from across America.
“The way I see it, it’s like the new F1 for fishing, the new LIV Golf for fishing,” Simmons told ESPN’s Andscape, explaining he’s always been curious about the water and loved fishing from an early age.
“It’s a very niche sport, but once you get out there and see what it’s about, you’re kind of in awe of what the sport is.
“There’s so much to it that people just don’t understand, these guys are fishing on million-dollar vessels, and they’re out for days at a time, it’s one of those worlds where you just got to kind of experience it, get into it and see what it’s about.”
Simmons, who doesn’t intend to actually compete on his team’s roster of anglers just yet, becomes the latest in a long line of celebrity SFC owners which also includes World Number One golfer Scottie Scheffler and NFL stars Randy Moss and Raheem Mostert.
After finishing up with the LA Clippers last season, Simmons remains an unrestricted free agent.
Having just re-signed with his original agent, Rich Paul, he says he hasn’t ruled out an NBA return once he gets his body right.
“I feel like I can go out and play (right now) and probably do really well and do important things for a team. But I want to get my body to the best it’s been—for me, it’s getting to my peak physicality and then we’ll see what happens.”
As for a possible timeframe?
“I’m looking maybe halfway through this year, if not next season, it just depends how far I can come along in that next month or so. But I’m feeling great, I haven’t had any setbacks.”
Now, about that marlin…