Ben Simmons hasn't suited up for an NBA game this season, and while the door to his basketball career isn’t officially closed, he’s clearly stepping into a new chapter - this time, not on the hardwood, but on the water.
The former Brooklyn Nets guard is now the controlling operator of the South Florida Sails Angling Club, a professional sportfishing team competing in the Sports Fishing Championship (SFC). The move was confirmed by the SFC, and it places Simmons among a growing list of athletes turning their competitive energy into ownership stakes in the sportfishing world. That list includes names like NFL Hall of Famer Randy Moss, current Raiders running back Raheem Mostert, and PGA Tour standout Scottie Scheffler.
For Simmons, the transition isn’t just about investment - it’s personal. “I have always believed that investing in what you love means you have a responsibility to help move it forward,” Simmons said via the SFC. “Sportfishing has given me incredible experiences, and SFC is creating a platform that treats offshore fishing like the elite sport it is.”
That passion is evident, and while this move doesn’t necessarily mean Simmons is done with basketball, it does suggest he's in no rush to jump back into the league. He’s taking his time, waiting for the right opportunity - if one comes at all.
Simmons’ NBA journey has been anything but conventional. After being traded to Brooklyn from the Philadelphia 76ers during the 2021-22 season in the blockbuster deal that sent James Harden to Philly, Simmons struggled to find his rhythm.
His time with the Nets was marred by injuries, particularly chronic back issues that required multiple surgeries. He never quite returned to the All-Star form he showed in Philadelphia, where his defensive prowess and playmaking once made him one of the league’s most unique two-way threats.
In his 90 games as a Net, Simmons averaged 6.5 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 6.3 assists per game. The efficiency was still there - he shot 56.2% from the field - but the volume and explosiveness that once defined his game were noticeably absent. His free-throw struggles continued as well, converting just 50% from the line during his Brooklyn stint.
After the Nets bought out his contract following the 2024-25 trade deadline, Simmons briefly joined the Los Angeles Clippers to finish out the season. But heading into this year, he reportedly turned down a minimum contract offer from the New York Knicks, choosing instead to wait - or pivot.
Now at 29, Simmons is at a crossroads. He’s young enough to mount a comeback, but for now, he’s channeling his competitive instincts into a different arena. Sportfishing may not offer the bright lights of an NBA arena, but it’s clear Simmons sees something special in it - a chance to build, to lead, and to stay connected to the world of elite sports on his own terms.
Whether we see him back in an NBA jersey or not, Simmons is charting his own course - and this time, it’s out at sea.