The NBA is built on the legends who sustain greatness over decades, but just as often, players exit the league long before fans are ready to let go.

Injuries, personal battles, shifting priorities, or tragedies have cut short careers that once seemed destined for historic heights.

With Ben Simmons reportedly questioning whether he wants to continue playing, it's worth revisiting some notable cases of players who left the game too early

11. Ben Simmons

For years, Simmons looked like the prototype for the modern NBA. A 6'10 point guard, he won Rookie of the Year in 2018, made three straight All-Star Games, and was twice named to the All-Defensive team.

Yet the end of his run with the Philadelphia 76ers, capped by the infamous 2021 playoff collapse, marked the beginning of a rapid decline.

After back injuries, mental health struggles, and uneven stints in Brooklyn and Los Angeles, Simmons is now a free agent at just 29. Reports suggest he turned down an offer from the Knicks and is unsure about whether he even wants to continue. If this truly is the end, Simmons will be remembered not as a bust but as a talent who never quite fulfilled the promise of his unique skillset.

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