Ben Simmons Pauses NBA Return, Goes Pro in Another Sport

Ben Simmons may still be off the court, but the NBA star is back in the game—just in a different arena.

Simmons, 29, who is currently an NBA free agent, has paused his plans to return to the league following an injury during his time with the Brooklyn Nets in 2023. On Tuesday, December 23, it was announced that Simmons, an avid fisherman, will now serve as the new controlling operator of the South Florida Sails (SFS) of the Sport Fishing Championship (SFC), according to Andscape.

“The way I see it, it’s like the new F1 [Formula 1] for fishing. The new LIV Golf for fishing,” Simmons told Andscape. “The first real competitive sport fishing championship. It’s a league of 16 teams, which is growing and expanding. And so, we’ll go out there and compete in various different tournaments, and there’ll be a champion crowned at the end. It’s a point-scored system. So, you’re fishing for white marlin, blue marlin, sailfish and striped marlin. There are all different point systems for each one.”

The Sport Fishing Championship (SFC) is a professional offshore saltwater fishing league founded in 2021. The league hosts tournaments featuring pro anglers from 16 pro angling clubs across Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, New Jersey, New York, and Massachusetts. These pro anglers compete in 16 tournaments annually for the championship title.

Simmons is the latest celebrity to chart his course in professional fishing. Other notable owners of SFC clubs include Scottie Scheffler, Harold Varner III, Talor Gooch, Randy Moss, Raheem Mostert, Brian Kelley, and Austin Dillon, as reported by Andscape.

Currently, Simmons is not signed with any NBA team. The versatile guard and forward spent the 2024-2025 season with the Los Angeles Clippers. A three-time NBA All-Star, Simmons began his career with the Philadelphia 76ers in 2016 and remained there until he was traded to the Brooklyn Nets in February 2022.

During his time with the Nets, Simmons faced several injuries which significantly impacted his career. The team waived him in February 2025, after which he signed with the Clippers as a free agent.

Despite his injury setbacks, Simmons shared with Andscape that he has continued to work out and believes he still has what it takes to play professionally if he keeps regaining his health. “I don’t believe it’s just [about] getting on a team,” Simmons said. “So, if I were to play right now, I think I’d fit right into the NBA just given what I can do. But I want to give everything I can to the game. I don’t think there’s any point in just wasting a spot just to be out there. I think that’s a little selfish. And there are guys that do it now. But that’s what it is, the business.”

As Simmons embarks on this new chapter in professional sport fishing, fans will be watching both his on-water endeavors and any future moves back to the basketball court.
https://people.com/ben-simmons-pauses-nba-return-goes-pro-in-another-sport-11875740

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