MELBOURNE (2016 Rio Olympics) - Andrew Gaze knows about the Olympics having played at five Summer Games. And the former Australian legend believes that 19-year-old Ben Simmons is ready to help the Boomers at the 2016 Olympic Games. 

"We've seen enough from him to say that he would be a valuable contributor to an Olympic campaign," Gaze said to the Australian Associated Press (AAP) of Simmons, who is seven games into his U.S. collegiate career with Louisiana State University (LSU). 

I don't know what (Boomers coach) Andrej Lemanis is thinking, but if he was available (and) if I'm coaching, he would definitely be on the team. - Gaze

Simmons, who is from the Melbourne suburb of Fitzroy, continues to dominate the game in the United States. After helping Florida prep school Montverde Academy to three straight high school national championships, he has moved to LSU for college basketball. And the 2.08m forward is making fans drool thinking about what he will do on a nightly basis most likely starting next season in the NBA.

Simmons collected 43 points, 14 rebounds, 7 assists, 5 blocks and 3 steals in LSU's win over North Florida on Wednesday night. Through seven games, he's averaging 19.9 points, 14.9 rebounds, 6.0 assists, 2.4 steals and 1.6 blocks. He also has a 21-point, 20-rebound game to his credit this season as well as a 15-point, 18-rebound showing. Simmons also had a game with four points, 14 rebounds and 10 assists. 

"His size, athleticism, ball-handling ability, instinct for the game and the way he distributes the ball have been clearly evident in what we have seen so far with LSU for such a young man," said Gaze, who played at the 1984, 1988, 1992, 1996 and 2000 Olympics. 

The 2013 FIBA Hall of Fame Inductee had just turned 19 when he played at the 1984 Games in Los Angeles. Simmons meanwhile has played twice for his country, helping them to a second place finishes at the 2012 FIBA U17 World Championship and 2013 FIBA Oceania Championship. 

While Gaze seemed certain that Simmons is already good enough to play at the 2016 Olympics, for which Australia are already qualified, it's unclear if the star talent would be available. The Rio Games will take place from 6-21 August and the 2016 NBA Draft is planned for 23 June. 

"He's got a lot to deal with. He's going to go into a situation where hopefully the draft will have come and gone," Gaze said.

FIBA