Ben Simmons knows fans in Australia have been critical of him not suiting up for the national team. But Simmons also knows those fans know they need him, if the team is to medal in international competition.

"People are like, ‘Well you’re not Australian if you don’t want to play’, and all this stuff that comes with it. And I just laugh. I’m like, Alright. And I want my team to succeed all the time. So it’s just interesting seeing that go on and then when we get knocked out, people are like, ‘Okay, we do need him’," Simmons said. "I’m like, Yeah, it would be nice to have me there because I’m one of the best players that’s come out of the country. So I love that respect, but at the same time it’s [about the] Olympics for me. That’s what I think about. Let’s get through the season healthy and play in the Olympics. That’s just going to be insane for me. I’m going for a medal, but just having that experience and to be able to represent my country, there’s probably nothing better than that.”

Simmons also expressed that he doesn't just want to return to his former All-Star form. Now that he's healthy, he has bigger goals in mind.

"I want to be better than an All Star. That’s where I want to be," Simmons said. "I never try to live with myself. I’m never like, Well, hopefully, maybe I get a couple votes in an All-Star game. Nah, if that’s the case, I might as well be fishing.”

Despite some optimism from head coach Brian Goorjian, Team Australia's preliminary roster for the 2023 FIBA World Cup does not include Ben Simmons. Goorjian had previously said that he hoped that Simmons would make himself available to play in the tournament.

Australia could still add the Brooklyn Nets forward to the roster ahead of the World Cup. The competition begins on August 25.

Team Australia did include 10 NBA players on their 18-man preliminary roster. NBA players named to the team are Xavier Cooks (Washington Wizards), Dyson Daniels (New Orleans Pelicans), Matthew Dellavedova (Sacramento Kings), Josh Giddey (Oklahoma City Thunder), Josh Green (Dallas Mavericks), Joe Ingles (Milwaukee Bucks), Jock Landale (Phoenix Suns), Patty Mills (Brooklyn Nets), Matisse Thybulle (Portland Trail Blazers), Jack White (Denver Nuggets).

Former NBAers Dante Exum, Thon Maker and Will McDowell-White are also on the preliminary roster.

It's been a while since Ben Simmons has suited up for the Australian National Team, but that could change as soon as this summer. Australia's head coach Brian Goorjian said he thinks Simmons may play for the national side at the 2023 FIBA World Cup.

“I think Ben’s mindset is getting healthy, getting in shape, and getting ready to play. And I think he has been along that line for a while and I felt it last time. As we sit now, there is a really strong chance that he plays," Goorjian said.

Goorjian said that Simmons missing the Tokyo Olympics was disappointing, but that Brooklyn Nets forward is close to playing for Australia again.

“There were unfortunate circumstances he missed the Tokyo Olympics, but I feel like he is going to make himself available," Goorjian said about Simmons.