READ MORE: <\/strong>Boomers hero cops brutal NBA axing<\/a><\/p>\n Speaking ahead of his much-anticipated debut, the 19-year-old said Simmons was someone he had admired for several years.<\/p>\n "Ben's an All-Star. He's young. He's been a multiple All-Star, he's a max contract player," Giddey told Nine News in Oklahoma.<\/p>\n "I've looked up to him for a long time. I went to his basketball camps, like, four years ago."<\/p>\n The 2020 NBL rookie of the year is going to be a key part of the Boomers' future, and hopes the wantaway Philadelphia 76ers star will be along for the ride.<\/p>\n Simmons chose not to represent Australia the Tokyo Olympics this year.<\/p>\n "You know he's a superstar and hopefully one day me and him can team up, you know, when it's the Olympic Games or World Cup or something, in the Australian jersey," Giddey said.<\/p>\n Simmons has had a tumultuous off-season<\/a>, and he only returned to Philadelphia this week, bringing an end to his hold out from training camp which led to financial penalties.<\/p>\n The Australian completed his COVID protocols to return to the court but it's unclear when he will play, with the season set to begin in less than a week.<\/p>\n Giddey, however, had a brilliant pre-season with the Thunder, shooting better than 50 per cent from the field<\/a> and averaging 13.5 points, seven rebounds and five assists per game.<\/p>\n https:\/\/twitter.com\/CrainNBA\/status\/1448832914515447808<\/a><\/p>\n The Thunder are still in a rebuilding phase, but Giddey is giving their fanbase reason to hope for the future.<\/p>\n "You know it's good the expectations on us aren't as high to win championships or to win games it's more about developing our group," he said.<\/p>\n "Come game night, you know, once the balls thrown up it'll be just basketball from there."<\/p>\n For a daily dose of the best of the breaking news and exclusive content from Wide World of Sports, subscribe to our newsletter by<\/strong><\/em> clicking here!<\/strong><\/em><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<\/p>\n