Scott Gleeson

USA TODAY Sports

NEW YORK — Ben Simmons watched as LeBron James cried after Sunday’s championship-clinching Game 7 that ended the city of Cleveland's 52-year city title drought.

And the 6-foot-10 Australian point forward from LSU with striking similarities to “the greatest player in the world” said he admires James’ drive to prove doubters wrong.

That will be Simmons’ mission once he steps on the hardwood donning a jersey most experts believe will be the red and blue of the Philadelphia 76ers, who have the top overall pick in Thursday’s NBA draft and worked out Simmons privately on Tuesday, the first and only workout he’s done with a team.

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“I try to play with an edge like that, too,” Simmons told USA TODAY Sports on Thursday following the Foot Locker Media Day for Kids. “Because a lot of people say things about me and my character. People say a lot of things about LeBron but he just keeps having a good mentality and grinding. That’s what I try to do, proving people wrong by what I do on the court. LeBron’s been like a big brother to me, watching me play and giving me pointers on just little things. I really look up to him. Seeing him with that championship, that’s what it’s all about.”

The Sixers, who have their first No. 1 pick since drafting Allen Iverson in 1996, have told Simmons they plan to select him first overall, according to an ESPN report. The Los Angeles Lakers have the second pick. Simmons told USA TODAY Sports: “A lot of things can happen. I’ve gotta wait until Thursday. Hopefully I do go No. 1. It’d be a dream come true.”

Simmons has long been considered the best talent in this year’s draft, but a freshman season littered with negative headlines and the upside of versatile forward Brandon Ingram of Duke have led to a see-saw discussion of who the best option is atop the leaderboard. Simmons, a USA TODAY Sports’ All-American, averaged 19.2 points, 11.8 rebounds and 4.8 assists a game — while unleashing highlight reel dunks, flashy passes and sheer athleticism during the 2015-16 college basketball season.

“I’m a big guy, but I play with a guard mentality. I got that from my Dad and it’s always stayed with me,” Simmons said. “I think my game will really translate to the NBA level.”

But while Simmons’ individual play might have had pro scouts and fans in awe, LSU’s turbulent season took center stage, as the Tigers were riddled with chemistry issues and ultimately failed to make the NCAA tournament. Then factor in Simmons’ grade point average below 2.0 that disqualified him from being a Wooden Award candidate, which led to a number of critics, he said.

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“I was in school to play basketball, I wasn’t trying to be a doctor,” Simmons said bluntly. “It’s hard to talk about the NCAA rules and everything that happened in the past because I’ve just been focused on practicing and getting ready. … I was trying to reach my dreams, and that’s to play in the NBA.

If the Sixers do take Simmons, the freshman will have similar expectations to James when he first joined Cleveland — a woeful franchise turning to a teenage superstar for revitalization. Those expectations, while towering, excite Simmons more than they deter him.

“It’d be a blessing to be the No. 1 pick,” Simmons said. “Philadelphia has great fans and they opened me with open arms when I was there. … My (goals) would be to be Rookie of the Year, to win a championship. Most of all I want to be the best player I can be and put my team in a position to win.”

As for the player he’s looking forward to playing against most, Simmons quipped, “LeBron. Definitely LeBron.”