Aaron Bunch Journalist with Australian Associated Press | Collection of published work | + 61 484 008 119 | abunch@aap.com.au
Simmons shortlisted for Rookie of the Year
Ben Simmons has been shortlisted for NBA rookie of the year after a stellar season leading Philadelphia on a 16-game winning streak and the NBA Playoffs.
My 17, 2018
Ben Simmons has been shortlisted for the NBA’s Rookie of the Year award, along with Utah’s Donovan Mitchell and Boston sensation Jayson Tatum.
Simmons had a stellar rookie year leading Philadelphia on a 16-game winning streak that took the 76ers to the NBA Playoffs while posting numbers comparable to legends Magic Johnson and Oscar Robertson.
The 76ers lost the series 4-1 to Boston but the 21-year-old guard had already cemented himself as a contender for the award during the regular season with a per-game average of 15.8 points, 8.2 assists and 8.1 rebounds.
Meanwhile, Houston’s James Harden, Cleveland’s LeBron James and New Orleans’ Anthony Davis are the finalists for the NBA’s Most Valuable Player award.
At 33, James would be the oldest player to win the award since 35-year-old Karl Malone did so in 1998-99.
A four-time winner of the award, James finished the regular season with averages of 27.5 points, 9.1 assists and 8.6 rebounds per game.
The awards, judged by a panel of US and Canadian sports journalists, will be announced on June 25.