Denzel Valentine On Ben Simmons: 'Like A Mini-LeBron'
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Ben Simmons is a 6-10, 240-pound athletic number one overall pick with basketball traits of a guard and a pass-first mentality. His biggest red flag entering the NBA is his jump shot.
He sounds a lot like LeBron James.
"He's like a mini-LeBron," Bulls first-round pick Denzel Valentine said (via ESPN.com) after facing Simmons for the first time in Sunday night's summer league game. "LeBron's probably top 10, so if he's a mini-LeBron, that's saying a lot."
Summer League Highlights: Ben Simmons Drops 18 Vs. Bulls
Simmons, who is averaging 10.5 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 5.3 assists in four summer league games, took a scorers mindset into the game and made 7 of 13 shots en route to 18 points in Sunday's loss.
The night before in a loss to the Lakers, Simmons tallied 10 points, 10 rebounds, and 8 assists.
Ben Simmons: 'I Spoke With LeBron Last Night'
Simmons is a part of Rich Paul's Klutch Sports Group. James is a client of Klutch Sports Group as well, and a life-long friend of Paul's. The four-time MVP and three-time NBA champ has already begun to mentor the 19-year-old Simmons.