Rookie of the Year

Donovan Mitchell is Paving the Way For Rookie of the Year in the First Round

Sutton Perozek, Reporter|April 24, 2018

Hoops define sports for millions of fans worldwide, whether it be outside in the driveway or on a court in the gym. As the playoffs are underway, everyone is watching Donovan Mitchell score in bunches for the Jazz. He broke the record for most points by a rookie guard in the first 2 playoff games with 55, beating Michael Jordan with 53.

The NBA awards will be announced at the first ever NBA awards show on June 26th. The regular season has just ended, and the playoffs are underway. There are many rookies who have had an outstanding first year, and many of their seasons are far from over.

Jayson Tatum, a forward from Duke, was drafted 3rd by the Boston Celtics. He averaged 13.9 points per game and made many highlight plays. He helped the Celtics earn the number 2 seed in the playoffs for the Eastern Conference.

With the playoffs starting, look for Ben Simmons and Donovan Mitchell to be key players in the first round.

Although Tatum thrived during his first year in the NBA, the rookie of the year debate is between Donovan Mitchell and Ben Simmons. Mitchell, a guard from Louisville who was drafted by the Denver Nuggets with the 13th pick, was traded to the Utah Jazz for the 24th pick and Trey Lyles. Mitchell finished the season emerging as a leader for the Jazz, averaging 20.5 points per game and earning the 5 seed in the Western Conference Playoffs. He also has the record for most threes in a season by a rookie. Ben Simmons, a point forward from LSU, was the first pick in the 2016 draft by the Philadelphia 76ers. However, he did not play a game during the 2016-2017 season because of a foot injury, so he played his rookie season this year. Simmons, who takes the ball up the court, is known for his flashy passes and drives to the hoop. Simmons averaged 15.8 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 8.2 assists per game, leading the Sixers to the number 3 seed in the East. Simmons had 12 triple doubles over the regular season, which is 2nd, only behind Oscar Robertson with 26.

The Rookie of the Year award is definitely between Simmons and Mitchell, and there is some beef between them. Mitchell, in his second to last game, wore a sweatshirt that defined the meaning of rookie because Simmons has technically been in the league for two years, but is still a rookie because he never played during the 2016-2017 season. They both have very impressive resumes, so all they can do is wait and see who will win on June 26th.