Ben Simmons becomes third Melbourne-born No.1 NBA Draft pick

Melbourne’s Ben Simmons has been drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers with the No.1 pick in the 2016 NBA Draft.

The former Box Hill student had been widely tipped to be chosen first and that became a reality on Friday morning (Australian time).

Melbourne has now produced more No.1 draft picks than any other city in the world over the past 35 years.

Championship-winning guard Kyrie Irving (2011) and Andrew Bogut (2011) were both born in the Victorian capital.

Fellow Australian Thon Maker was taken by the Milwaukee Bucks with pick 10.

With Simmons, @Melbourne has now produced more top #NBADraft picks than any other city in the world in last 35 years pic.twitter.com/wFvaYsflOx

? NBLfacts (@nblfacts) June 23, 2016