Australian Ben Simmons snapped up by Philadelphia 76ers with first pick of NBA draft

The Philadelphia 76ers added to their youthful core with a versatile big man by taking Australian Ben Simmons from Louisiana State University with the first overall pick of the 2016 NBA draft on Thursday.

The 19-year-old forward, an excellent rebounder who is good in transition as a scorer or passer, joins a Philadelphia team that finished last overall with a 10-71 record during the NBA’s 2015-16 season.

Simmons, the first Australian to be taken with the top pick since the Utah Jazz selected Andrew Bogut in 2005, averaged 19.2 points, 11.8 rebounds and 4.8 assists for LSU in his only college season.

“It’s a weight off my chest,” said the 6-foot-10-inch, 245-pound Simmons, who was widely expected to go first overall.

“I’ve been looking forward to this day for a while, so I’m glad I’ve made history, not only for myself but my family and Australian basketball.”

The Los Angeles Lakers followed with the second pick, the first choice in their post-Kobe Bryant era, and took shooting guard Brandon Ingram from Duke University.

Ingram, a good passer and excellent three-point shooter with great court awareness, is a slender 6-9 and scored 17.3 points a game for Duke along with 6.8 rebounds on average.