Ben Simmons says it’s his “dream” to represent the Boomers in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics after a back injury forced him to withdrawal from the Paris Games.

Simmons hasn’t played for Australia since 2013 due to ongoing injuries and off-court challenges that have disrupted his NBA career.

But the 28-year old is hoping to don the green and gold when the next opportunity comes on the Olympic stage in four years’ time.

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“Knock on wood, my goal is to play in the next Olympics. That’s ultimately the one thing I haven’t done in my career in terms of Australian basketball, that I want to do,” he told The Australian.

Simmons would be 32 by then.

The three-time All-Star, who missed the 2020 Tokyo Olympics to “work on his game” following a turbulent season for the Philadelphia 76ers, pulled out of the Paris Games due to a back injury that derailed his 2023/24 NBA season.

Simmons, now in his third campaign for the Brooklyn Nets, says he was committed to the Boomers before he required major back surgery.

“I was sick. I was frustrated at that, just because it was another opportunity that I missed. I always want to represent Australia,” he said.

“I was ready to go, I would’ve played 100 per cent. I can’t predict injuries, I can’t predict surgeries. Unfortunately I wasn’t able to.

“But ultimately it’s my dream. It’s something I speak about to my friends back home all the time. I want to put on that green and gold and represent.”

In the final year of a five-year US $177 deal, Simmons’ back issue is being carefully managed by Brooklyn to keep him on the court including being rested for this week’s game against the Denver Nuggets earlier this week.

The 6-foot-10 guard also expressed interest in the possibility of owning an NBL team.

“Another thing would be to just be involved with the NBL somehow, owning a team in some aspect like that. I’d love to be involved with Australian basketball,” he said.

“I’ve got to figure out if I can make that happen. Maybe putting this out there will help. That’s ultimately a dream of mine, to be able to give back to Australian basketball.

“I’ve lived in Melbourne, I’ve lived in Canberra, I’ve lived in Newcastle. Dad played pro everywhere, so that’ll be one of the goals also.”