No.1 draft pick Ben Simmons says he can't wait to go head-to-head with fellow Australian and childhood friend Dante Exum on basketball's biggest stage.
Simmons and Exum, who both had US-born fathers who played in Australia's NBL, have developed a friendly rivalry that will move from backyard hoops in Melbourne to the NBA.
Simmons, 19, was selected number one at the NBA Draft in New York on Thursday by the Philadelphia 76ers, while Exum, 20, was the No.5 selection when taken by the Utah Jazz in 2014.
"Dante," said Simmons, when asked backstage at the draft which Australian player he was most looking forward to playing against.
"I'm definitely going at him when we play."
News that makes sense
Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.
Exum has also been talking up potential NBA clashes with Simmons, joking that he would prefer it if the Los Angeles Lakers selected Simmons because Utah play LA four times each year rather than just two games against the 76ers.
"We've had rivalries since we were like seven years old," Simmons said.
"It's kind of weird seeing that relationship change from playing in the backyard to now we're going to be playing in the NBA."
