Basketball fans have had to wait patiently to see what Ben Simmons is capable of on an NBA court, but his opening showing in pre-season suggests it could be more than worth it.
Philadelphia 76ers' Australian rookie Simmons sent shivers through the first NBA coach he faced.
"Oh my God," Memphis Grizzlies coach David Fizdale said at the beginning of a rave review of Simmons.
"I don't want to see that for the next 15 years."
The 21-year-old, 208cm tall Simmons was sensational in the opening minutes of his debut NBA pre-season game against the Grizzlies on Wednesday.
He scored his first basket nine seconds into the game, added the 76ers' second basket less than a minute later and dished out five assists in the first quarter.
The Grizzlies won 110-89 and Simmons missed four of six field goal attempts for the game, but his six points, seven rebounds, nine assists and one block from 21 minutes on the court had Fizdale fearful of how good the Australian will be.
"That kid - they're not talking about him enough," Fizdale said.
"The way he moves with the ball, his ability to see the floor, the way he can get places on the floor.
"I think once he gets confidence in his shot where you really have to close in on him to the three (point line), wow.
"I mean, he's a big time talent."
The 76ers play Boston in their second pre-season game on Friday and open their regular season against Washington on October 18.
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