“Go back to America”: Alan Jones’ divisive words about Aussie basketball superstar Ben Simmons
NBA star Ben Simmons has come under fire from radio host Alan Jones after the star was said to have snuck out the side door and avoided fans waiting outside his basketball camp.
The basketball camp had kids aged seven to 18 reportedly turn up for the camp at the Hills Basketball Stadium in Castle Hill.
Those who had missed out on spots inside the camp had waited outside in hopes of getting a photo or signature from their idol.
Simmons is said to emerge from a different door to jump into a tinted Mercedes waiting nearby without stopping for pictures or autograph, according to The Daily Telegraph.
Jones had heard the news and has slammed Simmons on 2GB.
“This bloke has lost a lot of people very quickly,” Jones said on 2GB.
“He had promised to play for Australia at the upcoming World Cup only to pull out due to scheduling issues. He withdrew from the warm up games even though fans had spent hundreds of dollars hoping to watch him play.
“And I’m told he held two training camps for junior basketball players in Sydney and Melbourne. I understand that when he arrived, he walked straight past the fans, who had been waiting for hours, he refused to sign autographs or say hello.”
After announcing this news, Jones had divisive words for Simmons.
“Ben Simmons, I know you’re an Australian but go back to America and stay there.”
His comments come after Simmons accused Melbourne’s Crown Casino of racism last week, saying that he and a group of friends were denied entry because of their skin colour.
Crown Casino hit back quickly saying that the company had audio and CCTV footage that proved the basketballer refused to show ID and did not meet the venue’s dress code.
Fans were also not pleased about the fact that Simmons withdrew from Australia’s exhibition games against Team USA at the end of the year after he was used as a drawcard to sell tickets worth hundreds of dollars.