Ben Simmons Expects to Go No. 1, Says He'd Fit Well With Sixers

Ben Simmons didn't mince words when asked whether he'd be surprised if he wasn't the first overall pick in Thursday's NBA draft.

"Yes," Simmons said Wednesday in a pre-draft press conference.

That said, Simmons wouldn't confirm whether the Sixers have informed him he would be the No. 1 pick.

“I haven’t spoken to anybody about that, but maybe you’ve heard something else,” he said.

Regardless, the LSU product is still the likely top pick. Tuesday night on Jimmy Fallon, he even ate his first Philly cheesesteak. That has to be a good sign, right?

Simmons, who said his dream to play in the NBA began at 4 or 5 years old when he wrote down on a piece of paper that he’d make it — a paper he still has — says he thinks he would fit in well with the Sixers despite their large volume of centers and power forwards.

“[I’m] a young competitor, somebody that can push the ball in transition in a point forward style of play, and being 6 foot 10 and being able to handle the ball,” he said.

Simmons also said he’d be surprised if he wasn’t the No. 1 pick. One thing he isn’t sure of is what it’ll feel like on draft night.

“I honestly won’t know [how it’ll feel being drafted] until I get my name called, but hopefully I don’t fall on the stage, that’s the most important thing,” he said.

That’d be quite the way to begin his NBA career.

Simmons has already signed an endorsement deal with Nike and will be in an upcoming Showtime documentary called “ONE & DONE” that’ll air in October.

As for another player who could be rumored to end up in Philadelphia, Providence guard Kris Dunn also said he’d be happy if the Sixers drafted him.

He said he’d do whatever asked of him, whether that be a shooter, a defender or even play some center. Well, it’s safe to say they won’t be needing him at that position.

“They’re a young team on the rise,” Dunn said. “If they select me it’d be good. I’ve always wanted to be in the NBA, and I’m just trying to live my dream.”