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Ben Simmons makes it official, declares for the NBA Draft

Antonio Blakeney, Ben Simmons

FILE - In this Nov. 24, 2015, file photo, LSU forward Ben Simmons (25) drives downcourt as teammate Antonio Blakeney (2) follows in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against North Carolina State in New York. For all of his gaudy numbers, Simmons is still trying to figure out the best way to put the Tigers in position to win. And now the schedule gets harder, starting with Tuesday night’s, Dec. 29, 2015, tilt against Wake Forest, followed by the opening of Southeastern Conference play against Vanderbilt and No. 10 Kentucky. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens, File)

AP

Ben Simmons confirmed today what everyone in the world knew to be true: He will be turning pro and signing with an agent.

Shocker, I know.

“I’m making it official,” Simmons told ESPN.com.

The 6-foot-11 Simmons averaged 19.2 points, 11.8 rebounds and 4.8 assists this season, but he didn’t play in the NCAA tournament or the NIT after his LSU Tiger team went 19-14 and finished just 11-7 in an SEC that saw only three teams get into the NCAA tournament.

Simmons had long been projected as the No. 1 pick in the NBA Draft, and that may still end up being true. But it’s not because he’s the sure-fire top prospect in this draft; it’s going to depend on the preference of whichever team gets the first pick, whether they like Brandon Ingram or Ben Simmons more.

Assuming, that is, that Ingram follows Simmons in the one-and-done route.