Australian NBA superstar Ben Simmons appeared to insinuate he and several mates were refused entry to Melbourne’s Crown Casino overnight due to the colour of their skin, using a now-deleted Instagram video to say “we got a long way to go.”
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The Age reports the Philadelphia 76ers baller, 23, uploaded a video showing himself and several friends standing near security staff in the casino foyer.
“I find it so crazy that the only guy who doesn’t get checked to go into the casino is this guy,” Simmons said, turning the phone camera towards 76ers photographer Alex Subers, who appears to be of Caucasian appearance.
“I get checked, Mike gets checked and Taj gets checked,” Simmons said, referring to his other mates.
“Thank you Crown Casino. Damn, and they didn’t let me in, or him or this guy. Wow, we got a long way to go.”
Taking to Twitter this morning, Simmons denied he was turned away because he was wearing camouflage pants, which violate the casino’s dress code.
He also disputed claims he was turned away because he refused to show his ID.
Wrong again mate
— Ben Simmons (@BenSimmons25) August 5, 2019
Last week, Simmons attended the Melbourne premiere of The Australian Dream, a new documentary focussing on the racist abuse faced by AFL legend Adam Goodes.
Simmons also serves as an executive producer, and intends to bring the film to an American audience.
#TheAustralianDream World Premiere at @MIFFofficial with #AdamGoodes @StanGrantMOF @MickOLoughlin and @BenSimmons25 #WalkTogether pic.twitter.com/wrF6afr02c
— The Australian Dream (@AusDreamFilm) August 1, 2019
PEDESTRIAN.TV has contacted Crown Casino for comment.
