Sixers PG Ben Simmons hits first NBA 3-pointer in preseason game

Philadelphia 76ers star Ben Simmons hit the first 3-pointer of his NBA career in a preseason win over the Guangzhou Long-Lions on Tuesday night.

The 6-foot-10 point guard pulled up from deep beyond the arc seconds before halftime with the Sixers up big. He was treated to rapturous applause by the home Philly crowd when he hit the shot.

Simmons was 0-19 from beyond the arc in preseason, regular season and postseason games entering Tuesday. His last 3 came on Nov. 30, 2015 against Charleston while he was at LSU. It was the only 3-pointer he made in his college career.

Simmons has been routinely criticized for not taking open 3-pointers and for failing to develop a reliable jump shot. However, teammates said Simmons has shown increased confidence in the shot this offseason, and videos of his shooting sessions have gone viral in recent months.

Simmons didn't attempt another 3 in Tuesday's game and finished with 21 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists in 21 minutes of action.