Sixers

Ben Simmons, Australia’s Most Famous Athlete, Was Curiously Refused Entrance to Melbourne Casino

By Kevin Kinkead

Published: Aug 5th, 2019 · 12:03 PM EDT

---

Ben Simmons is back in the news today, but not because we’ve got a new 30-second jump shot clip to analyze.

There’s a story on TMZ Sports, with video from Simmons’ Instagram, explaining that the Sixers’ point guard was denied entry to an Australian casino, which he seems to suggest is due to profiling.

This took place in Melbourne, which is Ben’s hometown. TMZ:

The 23-year-old was trying to go to the Crown Casino in Melbourne early Monday morning with some friends, but claims they were all turned away by security … well, all but ONE who happens to be white.

“I find it so crazy that the only guy who doesn’t get checked to go into the casino is this guy,” Simmons said while pointing to his Caucasian buddy.

“I get checked, Mike gets checked and Taj gets checked,” Ben added. His white buddy then chimes in, “Not me!”

While showing the security guards, Ben says, “Thank you, Crown Casino.”

He wasn’t done — Ben showed some of his pals, all who appear to be men of color, and continued, “They didn’t let me in, or him or this guy. Wow, we got a long way to go.”

TMZ says they reached out to the Crown for comment, but so far nothing yet.

It seems inconceivable that Simmons, who is known everywhere throughout Melbourne and Australia, would be denied entry anywhere, let alone a casino and let alone because of some sort of profiling. For what it’s worth, his mother is a white Australian and his father is an American-born black man.

The clip came via Instagram story, which no longer exists, but you can see it after the jump:

Deleted Instagram story of Ben Simmons getting denied entry at crown casino @BleacherReport @espn pic.twitter.com/RO26l1V0zU

— Nick (@Nick_Battersby4) August 5, 2019

There will be more to this story!