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Andrew Bogut is upset with Ben Simmons’ decision to reportedly opt out of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics — but it’s not something he didn’t see coming.

“Am I surprised? No, definitely not. I had an inkling,” the retired Australian basketball great told Fox Sports News. 

“He’s an integral part in what the Boomers are trying to get to and would be, and he’s the best Australian-born NBA player in the world,” Bogut continued.

“It’s obviously disappointing.”

Simmons initially committed to play for his national team, and is part of the current 19-man roster that will represent Australia at the 2020 postponed games in Tokyo. The Boomers are set to begin training in Los Angeles this week.

Monday, though, ESPN reported the Sixers point guard is “doubtful” to join the national team, and will instead spend the offseason working on “skill development.”

“It’s his decision,” Bogut, who played 14 seasons in the NBA and was a staple of the Aussie national squad, said. “I’m not criticizing him for pulling out to want to better his game, but it’s more of the tease and allure of is he in or is he not.”

ESPN’s report followed Simmons’ dull playoff performance, which ended in a Game 7 elimination loss to the Hawks in the Eastern Conference semifinals.

Simmons shot historically poor from the free throw line, and was plagued by his lack of shooting throughout the series — something he’s dealt with for years. In five of the seven games against the Hawks, Simmons failed to attempt a shot in the fourth quarter.

“People sometimes don’t play for their national team for different reasons and it’s clear as day why he’s not going to play,” Bogut told SEN, an Australian publication, alluding to the 24-year-old’s NBA issues.

“There’s some mental demons that he needs to figure out in the off-season which you can’t fault too much, but 2019 was an opportunity, 2016 was an opportunity, so there’s only going to be so many Olympics left that he can get to,” Bogut explained, noting the previous times Simmons passed on a chance to play for the Australian national team.

Despite having his doubts, Bogut hopes to see Simmons suit up in Boomers’ green-and-gold at some point in his career.

“Ben’s a supreme athlete, one of the best at open floor basketballers, physical, and he would have made a difference, and don’t forget that he’s a top five, top 10 defender in the NBA, so that’s a big hole to fill, but it’s also a hole we’ve never had to fill because he’s never played,” he told Fox Sports News.

Simmons’ poor play in the NBA post-season has raised questions about whether or not it’s time for the 76ers to split up their dynamic duo in him and center Joel Embiid.

Bogut, meanwhile, believes the “Joel Embiid-Ben Simmons experiment is over” in Philadelphia.

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