Former Philadelphia 76ers star Ben Simmons is opening up about his rise to NBA stardom, his struggles in Philadelphia and his attempt to revive his basketball career in a new ESPN documentary.
'Being Ben,' an installment of ESPN's E60 series, will premiere Sunday, Oct. 18, at 4 p.m. on ESPN, with streaming available afterward on the ESPN App.
The documentary, reported by Andscape senior NBA writer Marc Spears, follows Simmons from his early basketball career in Australia to becoming the No. 1 overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft and one of the Sixers' most promising young stars.
Simmons quickly established himself as a key piece of Philadelphia's core, but his tenure with the team took a dramatic turn during the 2021 Eastern Conference semifinals against the Atlanta Hawks.
In Game 7 of that series, Simmons passed up an open dunk late in the fourth quarter, a moment that became one of the defining images of his time in Philadelphia. The play, along with his offensive struggles and the criticism that followed, marked a turning point in his career.
'Being Ben' examines the injuries, public scrutiny and challenges Simmons has faced since his time with the Sixers, as well as his latest attempt to reestablish himself in the NBA with the Sacramento Kings.
The documentary also explores Simmons' passion for fishing, which has become a significant part of his life away from basketball. Spears joined Simmons in the Florida Keys to learn more about his involvement with South Florida Sails, a fishing business he owns.
Several familiar faces from Simmons' time in Philadelphia are featured in the documentary, including former Sixers head coach Doc Rivers, former teammate Danny Green and former assistant coach Lloyd Pierce.
Other interviewees include Atlanta Hawks star Trae Young, who faced Simmons in the 2021 playoff series, Simmons' godfather and former coach David Patrick, Kings general manager Scott Perry and Australian men's national team head coach Adam Caporn.
Longtime Philadelphia Inquirer Sixers beat writer Keith Pompey and New York Post sportswriter Brian Lewis also provide perspective on Simmons' career.
The documentary was produced and directed by Julian Gooden in association with Andscape.
Premiere: Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026
Time: 4 p.m. ET
Channel: ESPN
Streaming: Available afterward on the ESPN App
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