The first thing Ben Simmons did when he arrived for practice at Louisiana State University this week was work his way through two rows of NBA scouts at court-side viewing tables, shaking hands with each one.
Mostly because of Australia's rising superstar Simmons, the LSU Tigers have had more pre-season hype than perhaps the early 1990s, when Shaquille O'Neal was the star.
The 6ft 10in Simmons, who grew up in Australia and attended high school in Florida, is as much at ease handling the ball on a fast break and delivering crisp, accurate passes as he is soaring to the hoop for a one-handed jam.
And despite eligibility to play for both the USA and Australia at a national level, the 19-year-old made his allegiance clear last year when he was selected in the Australian Boomers training squad, narrowly missing the cut for the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup.
Simmons will be the marquee attraction this season and scouts believe he has the potential to be the No. 1 overall pick in the NBA draft.
