Ben Simmons says retirement isn’t the plan after another injury ended his season before it began.
“My mentality is that I’ll be back,” Simmons told Marc J. Spears of Andscape in an exclusive interview. “I’ll do everything in my power to get back, get healthy and be better than I was before.”
Simmons tore his right Achilles during a Kings practice Oct. 18 and underwent surgery two days later. He had missed the previous season while recovering from back and knee injuries.
He told Spears that his decision to keep playing came while he was still down on the court.
“For me, it was just choosing and making that decision to keep going and fighting,” Simmons said. “I felt there is no other option. For me, it was like, ‘Let’s go.’ Surgery and start the rehab process.”
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Simmons plans to begin rehabilitation in Sacramento, where he told Spears the organization’s support has made a difference. He spent last season recovering as a free agent. This time, he has teammates and a franchise behind him.
“Everybody has been amazing, from Scott to Vivek to Coach Christie and my teammates,” Simmons said. “Everybody in Sacramento has been amazing. They’ve shown a lot of support.”
Spears reported that Sacramento was the only team to offer Simmons a contract, despite interest elsewhere. Simmons hopes to return to the Kings next season.
“[Sacramento] is home for me,” he said. “This is where I’ve built a home now. And I have the support.”
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