Report: Nets' Simmons hopes to play for Australia at World Cup

Brooklyn Nets guard Ben Simmons hopes to play for Australia in this summer's FIBA World Cup and has been included in the country's initial selection pool, sources told ESPN's Brian Windhorst.

Simmons hasn't appeared for the Boomers since playing a minor role in their 2013 FIBA Oceania Championship win. The former No. 1 pick also represented Australia the previous year at the FIBA U17 World Championship, helping the nation capture a silver medal.

Simmons is coming off his worst NBA campaign, averaging 6.9 points, 6.3 boards, 6.1 assists, and 1.3 steals across 42 appearances with the Nets.

Brooklyn ruled out Simmons for the remainder of the season in late March due to a nerve issue in his back. The LSU product's recovery from that injury is going well, adds Windhorst.

Australia is in Group E alongside Germany, Finland, and Japan. The Boomers finished fourth at the previous World Cup, falling to France in the bronze-medal game.