LSU freshman Ben Simmons is building up a pretty big fan base across the country. The standout forward is already expected to be the first pick in the NBA Draft and is showing signs of being a star.
President Barack Obama, however, has even higher hopes for the young player. President Obama invited people to ask him questions on Twitter today while at a high school in Baton Rouge. While most of the questions were political in nature, one strayed off to one of the President’s other passions – basketball.
The question was pretty much a setup for the President, who is an unabashed Bulls fan. Fittingly, the question came on the 30th anniversary of Michael Jordan’s first triple-double in the NBA.
But not only did the President take the slam dunk answer, he threw in a surprise ending.
love em all, but as a bulls fan got to go with mj. in baton rouge, just met lsu freshman ben simmons - will be great https://t.co/Du1gflVYp4
— President Obama (@POTUS44) January 14, 2016
Maybe he was just pandering to the local crowd, but that’s high praise for Simmons. Not only is the President a fan, but he included Simmons in a group of some of the best players in NBA history.
This wasn’t the only time President Obama gave Simmons a shout-out. Earlier in the day while giving a speech, the President made note of Simmons, who was in the crowd.
Hopefully Simmons has strong nerves. Nothing like letting down the President of the United States.
