Ben Simmons Injury Update: Australian prodigy nearing NBA debut for Philadelphia 76ers

Ben Simmons, the No.1 overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft, is making rapid strides towards his much-awaited debut for the Philadelphia 76ers, per several reports.

Simmons, who broke his right foot in a freak incident on Sept. 30, swapped a moon boot for a sneaker during Philadelphia's practice session on Tuesday. It was a significant milestone since the young Aussie hadn't worn a basketball shoe since fracturing the fifth metatarsal in his right foot during the final day of training camp.

Even though there is no official timetable for his NBA debut, Sixers coach Brett Brown is encouraged by Simmons' progress and expects the young forward to return to more physical drills sooner rather than later.

“He (Simmons) walked out on the court in sneakers and he shot free throws. That is significant to me. Then he walked over to my office and sat down looking like he was healthy. There was no boot, there was nothing earlier that he was wheeling," coach Brown told reporters after the practice session, per CSN Philly.

Ben Simmons to return in January?

Earlier in October, Brown said he was hoping to have Simmons back by January. However, he has since backtracked on the statement and has absolutely no intention to rush Simmons back.

“We are going to be extremely careful (with Ben Simmons). Everybody needs to hear that, and you know that. We are going to be extremely careful with how his progression into the team goes," said Brown, via the Philadelphia Inquirer.

Meanwhile, Brown, who wishes to see Simmons become a point guard in the NBA, revealed that the 20-year-old received video tutoring sessions on Tuesday and was asked to give an exam. "We took him through, 'Here, you got the ball, you’re the point guard. What do you see? What do you do? What do I call this? What are the reads? What can he do?'"

Simmons had undergone surgery on Oct. 4 in New York for an acute Jones fracture in his right foot. After the surgery, several reports suggested that Simmons would be sidelined for a minimum of three months. However, there's another school-of-thought that the Sixers might sit him the entire season -- the way they did with Joel Embiid, who missed his first two seasons coming out Kansas State before debuting this season.

Ben Simmons still wears a walking boot when he's not on a basketball court. The Australian prodigy averaged 19.2 points, 11.8 rebounds and 4.8 assists during his one-and-done college career with LSU.