In a surprising career pivot, former NBA first-overall pick Ben Simmons is trading the hardwood for the high seas. The three-time All-Star has decided to put a potential basketball comeback on hold to embark on a new challenge: professional sport fishing.
From Basketball Star to Fishing Team Owner
The 29-year-old athlete has taken a controlling ownership stake in the South Florida Sails Angling Club, which competes in the 16-team Sport Fishing Championship (SFC). Simmons announced his move in late December 2025, framing it as an investment in a passion. He likened the SFC to "the new F1 for fishing" or "the new LIV Golf for fishing," highlighting its competitive, league-based structure.
"The first real competitive sport fishing championship," Simmons explained in an interview. "It's a league of 16 teams, which is growing and expanding. We'll go out there and compete in various different tournaments, and there'll be a champion crowned at the end."
He joins other sports celebrities like golfer Scottie Scheffler and NFL's Raheem Mostert as team owners in the SFC. Simmons, who owns a 53-foot Scout boat named "The Real One Fishing Club Boat," expressed a deep appreciation for the sport's technical demands. "These guys are fishing on million-dollar vessels, and they're out for days at a time. So, it's tedious and gritty, but a lot of fun," he said.
A Winding NBA Journey
Simmons's basketball career has been marked by dramatic highs and lows. Drafted first overall by the Philadelphia 76ers in 2016, he immediately won Rookie of the Year honors. He earned three All-Star selections in his first four seasons but saw his trajectory disrupted.
He sat out the entire 2021-22 season with the 76ers due to reported back and mental health issues before being traded to the Brooklyn Nets. His time in Brooklyn was plagued by injuries and inconsistency, resulting in averages of just 6.5 points, 6.3 assists, and 6.2 rebounds over 90 games in three seasons. The Nets bought out his contract in February 2025, after which he finished the 2024-25 season with the Los Angeles Clippers, playing 18 games.
Throughout his NBA career, Simmons earned over US$200 million.
Is an NBA Return Still Possible?
Despite his new venture, Simmons has not completely closed the door on the NBA. He suggested a return this season remains a possibility, but only under the right circumstances—likely after the All-Star break.
"I don't believe it's just getting on a team," Simmons stated. "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... For me, I'm very blessed to not have to be in that situation where I need to fight right now. But I want to get to the best of my ability and physical peak to compete."
For now, the focus for the former defensive standout is on navigating the competitive waters of professional fishing, marking one of the most unconventional post-NBA career moves in recent memory.
