'Tears in his eyes': Ben Simmons' amazing gesture for young fan

Ben Simmons’ triple-double was enough to silence some critics but it was his humble act for a young fan that really earned him the plaudits.

A career-high 17 assists and his second triple-double of the season further entrenched Simmons in the NBA record books but the under-fire Philadelphia star is already eyeing a far bigger test on Christmas Day.

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The 76ers beat Detroit 125-109 behind a season-high 35 points from Tobias Harris.

But it was Simmons’ half-time act that had funs lauding his character.

Auggie, a young seven-year-old Simmons fan, was holding a sign up pre-game that read: “All I want for Christmas is to meet Ben Simmons”.

Simmons obliged and invited Auggie down at half-time to share a photo and a chat with the young fan.

Auggie’s father drove his son from Cincinnati to watch Simmons and his father told a reporter his son had “tears in his eyes” after the meeting.

Simmons also said it was the least he could do for a young fan.

“If I was a little kid, and that was my wish, I would definitely want somebody to make that happen,” Simmons said to the reporter.

“I saw him up there with my jersey on. It’s a special thing to have somebody wearing your jersey, so a lot of love for all my fans.”

Simmons then gave his jersey to Auggie following the game.

With AAP