Last Updated on October 9, 2026 by Candida Lucia
Ben Simmons is an Australian professional basketball player for the Sacramento Kings in the NBA. Born on July 20, 1996, in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, Simmons is known for his exceptional passing ability, defensive versatility, and impressive size for a point guard. The former Philadelphia 76ers star has earned three NBA All-Star selections and established himself as one of Australia’s most recognizable basketball players.
Many fans are curious about Ben Simmons’s girlfriend, children, parents, and siblings. His parents are David “Dave” Simmons and Julie Simmons, while his five siblings are Melissa, Emily, Liam, Sean, and Olivia. Four are his older maternal half-siblings, while Olivia is his older full sister. Simmons has previously dated television presenter Maya Jama, model Kendall Jenner, and singer Tinashe, but his current relationship status has not been publicly confirmed. There are also no reliable reports establishing that he has children.
Ben Simmons’s Girlfriend: Is He Dating Anyone?
Ben Simmons has attracted considerable attention for his romantic relationships throughout his NBA career, particularly because he has previously dated internationally recognized television personalities, models, and musicians.
However, despite several well-publicized relationships, Ben Simmons has no publicly confirmed girlfriend as of now.
His most widely reported relationship was with British television presenter Maya Jama, whom he reportedly became engaged to in late 2021.
The couple subsequently separated in 2022, ending their engagement before marriage.
Before dating Jama, Simmons was involved in an on-and-off relationship with American model Kendall Jenner between 2018 and 2020.
He also briefly dated American singer Tinashe in 2018.
Although Simmons maintains a considerable social media following, he has generally avoided discussing his romantic life in detail in recent interviews.
His public appearances have primarily focused on basketball, business activities, and his return to professional competition.
There is insufficient reliable information to establish whether he is currently dating someone privately.
Did Ben Simmons Date Maya Jama?
Yes. Ben Simmons previously dated Maya Jama, a British television presenter best known for hosting Love Island and other entertainment programs.
The couple were first romantically linked in 2021.
They confirmed their relationship publicly in July 2021 when they were photographed kissing during the Wimbledon tennis championships in London.
The appearance attracted considerable media attention because both Simmons and Jama had established successful careers in different countries.
At the time, Simmons was playing for the Philadelphia 76ers, while Jama was based primarily in the United Kingdom.
Their relationship therefore involved frequent international travel and periods of separation.
Despite these difficulties, the couple initially appeared committed to maintaining their relationship.
When Did Ben Simmons and Maya Jama Get Engaged?
Ben Simmons and Maya Jama reportedly became engaged during the Christmas holiday period in December 2021.
In January 2022, Jama was photographed wearing a large diamond ring, prompting speculation that Simmons had proposed.
Subsequent entertainment reports described the couple as engaged.
According to Capital XTRA and other entertainment publications, Simmons proposed during the holiday period while Jama was spending time with him in the United States.
However, the couple generally avoided extensive public discussion of their engagement.
The relationship eventually ended before a wedding took place.
Why Did Ben Simmons and Maya Jama Break Up?
Reports of Ben Simmons and Maya Jama’s breakup emerged in August 2022.
According to Capital XTRA, the couple reportedly struggled to balance their demanding professional schedules with the long-distance nature of their relationship.
Simmons was based in the United States, while Jama continued working on television and entertainment projects in the United Kingdom.
Their separation was widely reported in September 2022.
Although the exact private circumstances of their breakup have not been fully disclosed, published reports attributed the decision partly to their different professional commitments and lifestyles.
The engagement ended without the couple marrying.
Jama subsequently continued developing her television career, while Simmons concentrated on his NBA responsibilities.
Did Ben Simmons Date Kendall Jenner?
Yes. Ben Simmons previously dated American model and television personality Kendall Jenner, a member of the Kardashian-Jenner family.
Their relationship began attracting public attention in May 2018, when the two were photographed spending time together in Los Angeles and New York.
According to entertainment publications including E! News and Elle, the pair initially maintained a relatively casual relationship.
However, they subsequently appeared together at restaurants, sporting events, and other public locations.
Jenner also attended Philadelphia 76ers games to support Simmons.
The couple reportedly separated in September 2018 but resumed spending time together later that year.
They continued an on-and-off relationship into 2019.
In May 2019, Entertainment Tonight reported that Simmons and Jenner were no longer dating.
However, the two were linked again in early 2020 after appearing together at several events.
According to a February 2020 Us Weekly report, they were spending time together without maintaining an exclusive relationship.
Although the relationship attracted considerable media attention, Simmons and Jenner have not been publicly established as a couple in recent years.
Did Ben Simmons Date Tinashe?
Ben Simmons also previously dated American singer and songwriter Tinashe.
The relationship became public in March 2018, when the two began interacting openly on social media.
According to Elle, Tinashe shared photographs featuring Simmons on Instagram during their relationship.
However, their romance was relatively brief.
The couple reportedly separated in May 2018, shortly before Simmons began dating Kendall Jenner.
Although their breakup generated entertainment media attention, neither individual has publicly established an ongoing romantic relationship with the other.
Ben Simmons’s Children: Does He Have Any Kids?
There is currently no verified public information confirming that Ben Simmons has children.
The Australian basketball player has not made a widely documented announcement about becoming a father, and his official NBA and college basketball biographies do not identify any sons or daughters.
Although Simmons has previously been involved in serious romantic relationships, including his engagement to Maya Jama, there are no reliable reports indicating that he welcomed children during those relationships.
His interviews have generally focused on basketball, his upbringing in Australia, relationships with his parents and siblings, and professional development.
As of now, Ben Simmons has no publicly confirmed children. This does not establish that he has none, only that no reliable public information confirms any children.
Ben Simmons’s Parents: Meet Dave and Julie Simmons
Ben Simmons was born to David “Dave” Simmons and Julie Simmons on July 20, 1996, in the Melbourne suburb of Fitzroy, Australia.
His father is a former American professional basketball player who developed a successful career in Australia’s National Basketball League.
His mother is Australian and played an important role in raising the family’s six children.
Dave and Julie established a blended family that included four children from Julie’s previous marriage and two children they had together.
Those two children are Olivia and Ben.
According to reporting published by Sports Illustrated and ABC News Australia, the household was strongly connected to basketball, with several children participating in competitive sports.
Ben Simmons’s Father: David “Dave” Simmons
Dave Simmons is Ben Simmons’s father and a former professional basketball player from the United States.
He grew up in the Bronx, New York City, where he developed his passion for basketball.
Dave eventually played college basketball at Oklahoma City University under coach Abe Lemons.
After completing his college career, he pursued professional basketball opportunities before moving to Australia.
In 1989, Dave joined the Melbourne Tigers in Australia’s National Basketball League.
His arrival marked the beginning of a lengthy professional career in the country.
According to Louisiana State University’s official basketball biography of Ben Simmons, Dave played 13 seasons in the Australian NBL.
He received All-League recognition with Melbourne in 1990 and helped the Tigers win the 1993 NBL championship.
Dave also represented other Australian basketball clubs during his career, including teams based in Newcastle, Sydney, and Canberra.
He became known for his physical style of play, rebounding, and ability to compete against larger opponents.
His achievements were significant enough that the Melbourne Tigers retired his number 25 jersey.
After retiring as a player, Dave continued working in basketball.
He served as an assistant coach and interim head coach with the Hunter Pirates between 2003 and 2005.
His experience in professional basketball became particularly influential when his youngest son began developing into a talented player.
How Dave Simmons Influenced Ben Simmons’s Basketball Career
Growing up with a father who played professional basketball gave Ben Simmons early exposure to the sport.
During childhood, Ben regularly accompanied his father to basketball facilities and spent time around professional players.
According to Sports Illustrated, Dave believed young athletes should be encouraged to develop multiple basketball skills rather than being restricted to positions based on their height.
He emphasized creativity, ball-handling, passing, and understanding the game.
This approach became particularly important because Ben eventually grew to approximately 6 feet 10 inches tall while retaining the skills normally associated with a point guard.
Rather than encouraging his son to play exclusively near the basket, Dave allowed him to handle the ball and make decisions offensively.
The training helped Ben develop the playmaking abilities that later distinguished him in college basketball and the NBA.
Dave also coached Ben during his youth basketball career.
According to a profile published by Vice, he worked with Ben’s older brother Liam to coach the young player between approximately ages 10 and 12.
The family environment encouraged competition while allowing Ben to experiment with different aspects of the game.
His father’s experience also influenced the decision to move to the United States for high school.
By the time Ben was a teenager, Dave believed he needed to compete against stronger and more physically developed opponents.
He supported the decision to attend Montverde Academy in Florida, where Ben would have access to a nationally recognized basketball program.
Dave remained involved throughout his son’s college and professional career.
In a 2016 interview with ABC News, he expressed pride in watching Ben prepare to become the first overall selection in the NBA Draft.
He also emphasized that achieving NBA success would require his son to remain disciplined and responsible.
Ben Simmons’s Mother: Julie Simmons
Julie Simmons, formerly Julie Tribe, is Ben Simmons’s mother and an Australian woman who raised six children with her husband, Dave.
She met Dave after he moved to Australia to pursue professional basketball.
Before their relationship began, Julie had four children from a previous marriage: Melissa, Emily, Liam, and Sean.
After marrying Dave, she welcomed two more children, Olivia and Ben.
The family eventually settled in Australia, spending significant periods in Newcastle and Melbourne.
Julie played an important role in balancing her children’s educational and athletic responsibilities.
When Ben began attracting attention from American basketball programs, she initially had reservations about allowing him to move overseas at such a young age.
According to ABC News Australia, Julie was concerned about the distance between Australia and the United States.
She wanted to ensure that her son would receive appropriate guidance and support while living away from home.
However, she eventually recognized the opportunity that Montverde Academy could provide.
After discussing the decision as a family, she supported Ben’s move to Florida.
The choice proved important as he developed into one of the country’s leading high school basketball prospects.
Julie continued supporting him throughout his college career at Louisiana State University.
In June 2016, she attended events surrounding the NBA Draft, where Ben was selected first overall by the Philadelphia 76ers.
During an interview with ABC News, she expressed happiness about her son’s achievements while emphasizing the importance of keeping responsible people around him.
She recognized that becoming a professional athlete at a young age would involve challenges beyond basketball.
Her concern was not limited to his performance on the court.
She also wanted him to develop good judgment and learn from mistakes as he adjusted to fame and financial independence.
Ben has repeatedly acknowledged the importance of his mother’s support.
In a January 2018 interview with ABC News, he explained that his parents and siblings helped him remain grounded despite the attention surrounding his NBA career.
His mother’s influence therefore extended beyond childhood into his professional development.
Ben Simmons’s Siblings: Meet His Five Brothers and Sisters
Ben Simmons grew up with five siblings: Melissa, Emily, Liam, Sean, and Olivia.
He has two brothers and three sisters.
Four of them—Melissa, Emily, Liam, and Sean—are his older maternal half-siblings from his mother’s first marriage.
Olivia is his older full sister, sharing both parents, Dave and Julie Simmons.
According to Sports Illustrated, the six children were raised together in a close-knit household, where basketball and other sports played a prominent role.
Several of Ben’s siblings later pursued careers in athletics, coaching, sports management, and related fields.
Melissa Simmons: Ben Simmons’s Older Half-Sister
Melissa Simmons is Ben Simmons’s oldest sister and one of his four older maternal half-siblings.
She is Julie Simmons’s daughter from her previous marriage and grew up as part of the family’s blended household.
According to Sports Illustrated, Melissa is the eldest of the six children.
Because of the family’s age differences, she had already reached important stages of adulthood while Ben was still a child.
Although Melissa belongs to a family closely connected to professional basketball, she has generally maintained a private public profile.
Reliable information about her current occupation, personal relationships, and professional activities remains limited.
Nevertheless, her relationship with Ben is documented in official basketball biographies and family profiles.
Emily Simmons: Ben Simmons’s Older Half-Sister
Emily Simmons is another of Ben Simmons’s older maternal half-sisters.
She participated in competitive rowing during her university years, representing Washington State University.
Her involvement in college athletics continued the family’s tradition of competitive sports.
Emily later developed a career in the sports business industry.
According to ABC News Australia, she worked with Klutch Sports, the athlete representation agency associated with LeBron James and agent Rich Paul.
In 2016, she was among the family members supporting Ben as he prepared to enter the NBA.
She also worked in areas connected to his media relations and professional representation during the early stages of his career.
Emily’s experience in sports management provided valuable support as Ben transitioned from college basketball to professional competition.
She is married to former NFL running back Michael Bush, who played professional American football for the Oakland Raiders and Chicago Bears.
Although Emily has participated in public discussions about her brother’s career, detailed information about her current professional activities is less widely documented.
Liam Simmons: Ben Simmons’s Older Half-Brother
Liam Simmons, also known as Liam Tribe-Simmons, is Ben Simmons’s older maternal half-brother and a professional basketball coach.
He developed an interest in basketball during childhood and subsequently played college basketball at San Diego Christian College.
After completing his playing career, Liam transitioned into coaching.
He held coaching positions at several American universities, including Northwest Christian, Nicholls State, Southwest Baptist, and the University of California, Riverside.
His experience became particularly relevant during Ben’s early basketball development.
According to Vice, Liam helped his stepfather Dave coach Ben during youth basketball competitions.
He encouraged his younger brother to develop confidence, creativity, and strong fundamental skills.
Liam also supported Ben when he moved to the United States for high school.
At the time, Liam was already working within the American college basketball system and could help his brother adjust to the country’s basketball environment.
In 2018, Liam temporarily stepped away from college coaching to help Ben improve his individual skills, particularly shooting.
Although the arrangement attracted media attention, it reflected the family’s longstanding involvement in Ben’s basketball development.
Liam subsequently continued his coaching career internationally.
In 2020, he served as head coach of the Franklin Bulls in New Zealand’s National Basketball League.
That same year, Colorado Christian University appointed him as its men’s basketball head coach.
According to the university’s official athletics website, Liam has continued leading the Colorado Christian Cougars and remains listed as head coach for the 2026–27 season.
His career has allowed him to establish his own professional identity while maintaining a close connection to his younger brother.
Sean Simmons: Ben Simmons’s Older Half-Brother
Sean Simmons, also known as Sean Tribe, is another of Ben Simmons’s older maternal half-brothers.
He grew up with Ben and their siblings in Australia and became involved in supporting the basketball player’s professional career.
During Ben’s early years with the Philadelphia 76ers, Sean lived with him and helped manage various personal and business responsibilities.
According to an interview published by ABC’s Triple J in September 2018, Sean was working as his younger brother’s manager at the time.
The two maintained a close personal relationship despite their age difference.
Sean also helped develop entertainment projects connected to the Simmons family.
One notable initiative involved a proposed television comedy series called Brotherly Love, inspired partly by Ben’s relationship with his older brother.
The project attracted attention because NBA star LeBron James was involved as an executive producer.
In interviews, Ben explained that their relationship was unusual because they shared a mother but had different fathers and did not necessarily resemble each other physically.
However, the brothers grew up together and maintained a strong family connection.
Sean also appeared in Sports Illustrated reporting about Ben’s childhood basketball experiences.
He recalled watching his younger brother compete against other children and recognizing his unusual athletic potential.
Although Sean has participated in sports management and entertainment activities, details about his current professional role are not extensively documented.
Olivia Simmons: Ben Simmons’s Older Sister
Olivia Simmons is Ben Simmons’s older full sister, sharing both parents, Dave and Julie Simmons.
Unlike his four older maternal half-siblings, Olivia was born after Dave and Julie established their relationship.
She grew up alongside Ben in Australia and developed a strong interest in basketball.
Like their father, Olivia possessed considerable basketball talent.
She later moved to the United States and played college basketball at Arizona State University.
According to a January 2016 profile published by Sports Illustrated, Olivia competed as a forward for the Arizona State women’s basketball program.
Her college basketball experience made her an important influence on Ben.
During childhood, the siblings regularly discussed basketball and competed against one another.
Olivia also shared her father’s emphasis on creativity and basketball intelligence.
In the Sports Illustrated profile, she discussed her younger brother’s admiration for LeBron James and his unusual approach to basketball fandom.
Her comments demonstrated the close relationship between the siblings.
Olivia subsequently became involved in basketball coaching.
She has been associated with coaching roles at Southwest Baptist University.
Although Ben eventually received far greater international attention through his NBA career, Olivia pursued her own path in competitive basketball and player development.
Is Ben Simmons the Youngest Child in His Family?
Yes. Ben Simmons is the youngest of six children raised by Dave and Julie Simmons.
His five older siblings are Melissa, Emily, Liam, Sean, and Olivia.
The family includes four older maternal half-siblings and one older full sister.
According to Sports Illustrated, there is an age difference of approximately 15 years between Ben and the oldest sibling.
Growing up as the youngest child exposed Ben to older siblings who had already developed considerable experience in sports, education, and other activities.
Several of them encouraged him to participate in competitive basketball while also providing guidance as he matured.
Ben Simmons’s Godfather: Who Is David Patrick?
Another important person in Ben Simmons’s basketball journey is his godfather, David Patrick.
Patrick is a former professional basketball player and college basketball coach who maintained a longstanding friendship with Ben’s father.
According to Sports Illustrated, Patrick and Dave Simmons knew each other through their basketball careers.
Patrick subsequently became Ben’s godfather and remained involved in his development.
When Ben was considering college basketball opportunities, Patrick was working as an assistant coach at Louisiana State University.
His presence helped make LSU an attractive destination.
In October 2013, Ben committed to play for the LSU Tigers.
Patrick later helped coach him during the 2015–16 college basketball season.
Although Patrick is not a biological relative, he has maintained an important role in the family’s basketball connections.
His guidance helped Ben navigate the transition from high school to college basketball.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ben Simmons’s Family
Who is Ben Simmons’s girlfriend?
Ben Simmons has no publicly confirmed girlfriend as of now. His previous relationships include Maya Jama, Kendall Jenner, and Tinashe.
Is Ben Simmons married?
No marriage has been publicly confirmed. Simmons was previously engaged to British television presenter Maya Jama, but their engagement ended in 2022.
Was Ben Simmons engaged to Maya Jama?
Yes. Ben Simmons and Maya Jama reportedly became engaged during Christmas 2021 before ending their relationship in August 2022.
Why did Ben Simmons and Maya Jama break up?
Published reports attributed their separation partly to long-distance difficulties and demanding work schedules, although the couple did not publicly disclose every detail of the breakup.
Did Ben Simmons date Kendall Jenner?
Yes. Ben Simmons and Kendall Jenner maintained an on-and-off relationship beginning in 2018. They were also romantically linked again in early 2020.
Did Ben Simmons date Tinashe?
Yes. Ben Simmons briefly dated singer Tinashe in 2018 before their relationship ended.
Does Ben Simmons have children?
There are no reliable public reports confirming that Ben Simmons has children.
Who are Ben Simmons’s parents?
Ben Simmons’s parents are David “Dave” Simmons and Julie Simmons. His father is a former professional basketball player, while his mother is Australian.
Who is Ben Simmons’s father?
His father is Dave Simmons, a former professional basketball player who spent 13 seasons in Australia’s National Basketball League and won the 1993 championship with the Melbourne Tigers.
Who is Ben Simmons’s mother?
His mother is Julie Simmons, formerly Julie Tribe, an Australian woman who raised six children in a blended family with Dave Simmons.
How many siblings does Ben Simmons have?
Ben Simmons has five siblings: Melissa, Emily, Liam, Sean, and Olivia. He has two brothers and three sisters.
Who are Ben Simmons’s brothers?
His two older maternal half-brothers are Liam Simmons, a college basketball coach, and Sean Simmons, who has previously worked in sports management.
Who are Ben Simmons’s sisters?
His three sisters are Melissa, Emily, and Olivia. Melissa and Emily are his older maternal half-sisters, while Olivia is his older full sister.
Is Olivia Simmons Ben Simmons’s biological sister?
Yes. Olivia Simmons is Ben Simmons’s older full sister. Both were born to Dave and Julie Simmons.
Is Liam Simmons related to Ben Simmons?
Yes. Liam Simmons is Ben Simmons’s older maternal half-brother. He is also a basketball coach and has served as head coach at Colorado Christian University since 2020.
Who is Emily Simmons?
Emily Simmons is Ben Simmons’s older maternal half-sister. She previously competed in college rowing at Washington State University and worked with Klutch Sports. She is married to former NFL player Michael Bush.
Who is Sean Simmons?
Sean Simmons, also known as Sean Tribe, is Ben Simmons’s older maternal half-brother. He previously worked as Ben’s manager and helped develop entertainment projects connected to the family.
Who is Melissa Simmons?
Melissa Simmons is Ben Simmons’s oldest sister and one of his four older maternal half-siblings. She has generally maintained a private public profile.
Is Ben Simmons the youngest sibling?
Yes. Ben Simmons is the youngest of six children raised by Dave and Julie Simmons.
Where is Ben Simmons’s family from?
Ben Simmons was born and raised in Australia. His father grew up in New York City before moving to Australia to play professional basketball, while his mother is Australian.
Who is Ben Simmons’s godfather?
His godfather is David Patrick, a former professional basketball player and college basketball coach who worked with Simmons during his time at Louisiana State University.
What is Ben Simmons’s full name?
His full name is Benjamin David Simmons.
When was Ben Simmons born?
Ben Simmons was born on July 20, 1996, in Fitzroy, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Which NBA team does Ben Simmons play for?
Ben Simmons joined the Sacramento Kings in September 2026 on a one-year contract after previously playing for the Philadelphia 76ers, Brooklyn Nets, and Los Angeles Clippers.
Candida Lucia is a sports journalist and NBA writer specializing in tactical game analysis, player development, and league coverage. With an eye for on-court execution and team dynamics, she delivers detailed breakdowns of strategy, roster updates, and key performance trends. Passionate about bringing readers closer to the game, Candida offers engaging insights on every aspect of the NBA season, from regular-season battles to the Finals.
