Kendall Jenner and Ben Simmons: A brief Romance Under the Spotlight
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A short-lived romance between model Kendall jenner and NBA player Ben Simmons unfolded between 2018 and 2019,navigating the challenges of distance and public scrutiny before ultimately concluding. The pair initially connected in the spring of 2018, making a concerted effort to see each other despite Simmons’s professional commitments with the Philadelphia 76ers.
A Transatlantic Connection
The relationship blossomed despite the logistical hurdles of a transatlantic connection. Simmons, based in philadelphia, and Jenner, with her demanding modeling career, prioritized finding time together.This dedication was subtly highlighted in spring 2019 when Jenner streamed a Philadelphia 76ers game during a photoshoot for Australian Vogue. She then reportedly FaceTimed Simmons, a native of Melbourne, to showcase her copy of his recent GQ Australia cover, demonstrating a mutual support for each other’s careers.
The Price of Public Attention
jenner, known for maintaining a degree of privacy, expressed her reservations about publicizing personal relationships. “For me, a lot of things are very special and very sacred, like my friends and relationships, and I personally think that bringing things into the public makes everything so much messier,” she told Australian Vogue. she also acknowledged the uncertainties of navigating relationships in her twenties, stating, “Also I’m very young and right now I feel like relationships aren’t always super-certain.”
A Swift Split and Reflections on Youth
By the first Monday in May 2019 – coinciding with the annual Met Gala – the couple had amicably parted ways. Jenner foresaw that her demanding schedule would create insurmountable complications for sustaining the relationship. Reflecting on the experience, she shared with Australian Vogue, “Everyone has their own path and their own way of letting the cards fall. Your 20s are for messing up and figuring it out.”
The internet’s Take and a Playful Response
The relationship,and its subsequent end,did not escape the attention of social media. In 2019, a fan created a meme titled “Starting 5 of NBA Players Kendall Jenner Dated,” featuring photos of Jordan Clarkson, Ben simmons, Blake Griffin, Kyle Kuzma (then with the Los Angeles Lakers), and D’Angelo Russell. The fan quipped, “This is a playoff team lmao.” Jenner responded with characteristic wit, reposting the meme and adding, “2 out of 5 accurate, thanks.”
This playful acknowledgment underscored a broader pattern of high-profile relationships for Jenner, and a seemingly effortless ability to navigate the accompanying public discourse. As of 2025, Simmons plays for the Los Angeles Clippers, a notable shift from his time with the 76ers during the height of his relationship with Jenner.
