Ben Simmons has taken another major step on the path to becoming the NBA's next $US100 million man and LeBron James could not be happier.
Melbourne-born Simmons, 19, announced in a video message on Wednesday he had signed with NBA star James' management company, Klutch Sports Group.
"Welcome to the family lil bro," James wrote on Instagram.
The announcement was not a surprise, with reports surfacing last week Simmons had left Louisiana State University after one season to turn professional and had an arrangement in place with Klutch.
It was also not a surprise Simmons was wearing a t-shirt emblazoned with a big Nike symbol in the 28-second video.
James signed a lifetime shoe deal last year with Nike worth an estimated $US500 million.
The sporting goods giant is believed to have the inside running in signing the young Australian to a shoe deal that former Nike marketing executive Sonny Vaccaro estimates will be worth more than $US100 million.
Klutch is also expected to set Simmons up with a suite of endorsement deals.
James earns an estimated $US50 million a year in endorsements with companies including Coca-Cola (via Powerade), Beats by Dre, Samsung and Kia.
"I just wanted to let you guys know the past few days for me have been busy and productive and I've come to the decision that I've signed with Klutch Sports Group and for me that's a big step in the right direction," Simmons says in the video posted to Bleacher Report's Uninterrupted page.
"I believe it's another family for me and now it's all about putting in the hard work and getting myself ready for the next level.
"It's an exciting period, but I'm looking forward to it."
Klutch was founded in 2012 by James' longtime friend Rich Paul, who has become one of the most powerful agents in US sport with clients including James and other NBA stars John Wall, Eric Bledsoe and James' Cleveland Cavaliers' teammate Tristan Thompson.
Simmons, a few weeks ago the consensus projected No.1 pick in the NBA Draft, is now in a battle with 18-year-old forward Brandon Ingram who is leading Duke University in the NCAA Tournament.
Simmons failed to lead LSU to enough wins to make it into the 68-team tournament which dominates American sports coverage during March.
The Australian's relationship with James and Klutch appears to have been forged in 2014 when the then 17-year-old son of former Melbourne Tigers big man Dave Simmons attended the LeBron James Skills Academy in Las Vegas.
Simmons' older sister, Emily Bush, has had a marketing/branding job at Klutch since around that time, Yahoo! Sports reported.
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