Philadelphia 76ers rookie Ben Simmons has no doubts about who should be named Rookie of the Year. Unsurprisingly, Simmons believes he's the rookie who should be crowned when the NBA postseason awards are announced on June 25, and he doesn't even think it's particularly close.
Speaking with ESPN in downtown Philadelphia over the weekend, Simmons spoke about the Rookie of the Year Award.
"Who would I pick? Me, 100 percent," Simmons told ESPN.
"I think I have been playing solid all year," he continued, according to ESPN. "If you look at the numbers, you will see. People who know the game know."
When asked about other rookies that have caught his attention this season, Simmons responded, "none."
"None," Simmons responded promptly, according to ESPN. "I want to be where the greats are. So, for me, I watch the guys like [Kevin Durant], [LeBron James], [Stephen] Curry,Russell [Westbrook]. Guys like that. That's where I want to be. I think for me, that's what I love to watch."
Simmons has shined in his first season in the league, averaging 16.0 points, 8.1 rebounds and 8.2 assists per game for the third place Sixers. He has also recorded 12 triple-doubles which puts him second in league history for rookies, behind Hall of Famer Oscar Robertson who had 26 such games, according to ESPN.
Utah Jazz rookie Donovan Mitchell also has a case for Rookie of the Year. The 6'3 guard leads all rookies in scoring with 20.5 points per game while guiding the Jazz into fourth place in the Western Conference.