BATON ROUGE, La. -- LSU freshman forward Ben Simmons, who led the Tigers in scoring, rebounds and assists this season, says he is leaving the Tigers to turn pro.
Simmons, who made his announcement in an interview published Monday by ESPN, says he will soon hire an agent and enter the NBA draft, for which Simmons has been widely projected as a top overall pick. Simmons did not involve LSU in his announcement and school officials did not immediately provide any reaction to Simmons decision, but coach Johnny Jones insinuated last week that he did not expect Simmons to be back.
"It has been a joy coaching him. Ben brought a great deal of excitement to our team and our program," Jones said last week. "I would take a one-and-done like Ben again."
Simmons, who grew up in Australia before moving to Florida for three years of high school at Montverde Academy, averaged 19.2 points, 11.8 rebounds and 4.8 assists this season with LSU.
Opposing coaches and NBA scouts alike have gushed over Simmons' all-court game, vision and instincts, as well as ball-handling and passing ability seen as exceptional for a player with his 6-foot-10 height. Yet he wasn't immune to criticism. He never demonstrated he could make jump shots consistently, rarely shooting from outside and going only 1 of 3 from 3-point range all season. He also exhibited an inclination to pass, rather than create his own shot, in the late stages of close games (see full story).
Rockets: Howard upset by being called cheater
OKLAHOMA CITY -- Dwight Howard doesn't like being branded a cheater.
The NBA is reviewing the Houston Rockets center's use of a sticky substance on his hands during Houston's loss to the Atlanta Hawks on Saturday night. Atlanta's Paul Millsap complained about the ball while shooting free throws with 3:36 remaining in the first quarter. Howard had made a layup before Millsap's free throws.
NBA
Howard said Monday that the situation is overblown, and he has used the substance for the past five years without being asked about it. He said he uses the spray for grip, and noted many players use sprays and powders for that purpose.
Rockets coach J.B. Bickerstaff said the league interviewed him Sunday night, but he hasn't been notified of any disciplinary action.
Grizzlies: Farmar signed to 10-day contract
MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- The Memphis Grizzlies have signed veteran guard Jordan Farmar to a 10-day contract.
Farmar has played 490 games and has made 30 starts across eight NBA seasons. He holds career averages of 7.7 points, 2.9 assists, 1.9 rebounds and 19.4 minutes per game.
The 29-year-old also has played 69 playoff games, all with the Los Angeles Lakers. He played in three consecutive NBA Finals from 2008-10.
Farmar, who is 6-foot-2, played for Israel's Maccabi Tel Aviv for the first part of the 2015-16 season. He also has played in Turkey.
The Lakers selected Farmar out of UCLA with the 26th overall pick in the 2006 NBA draft.