I still remember the excitement surrounding the 2018 NBA rookie class like it was yesterday. As someone who's followed basketball religiously for over two decades, I can confidently say that particular season brought one of the most fascinating Rookie of the Year races I've witnessed. The anticipation built throughout the season, with multiple players making compelling cases, but there was one standout performer who ultimately captured the award in what I consider a well-deserved victory.
The 2018 NBA Rookie of the Year award went to Ben Simmons of the Philadelphia 76ers, and honestly, I wasn't surprised when the announcement came. What did surprise me was how dominant he was despite technically being a second-year player - he sat out his actual rookie season due to injury, which created some interesting debates among fans and analysts about his eligibility. Simmons put up numbers we hadn't seen from a rookie in years, averaging 15.8 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 8.2 assists per game while shooting around 55% from the field. Those are All-Star caliber numbers, and watching him orchestrate the Sixers' offense was genuinely special. His court vision reminded me of a young Magic Johnson, and at 6'10", he brought a unique combination of size and skill that we rarely see in the league.
What made Simmons' case particularly compelling in my view was how he transformed the Sixers into legitimate playoff contenders. They finished with a 52-30 record, their best since the Allen Iverson era, and Simmons was the engine driving that success. I recall specific games where his impact was undeniable - like when he recorded his eighth triple-double against Charlotte in March, breaking a franchise record. His defensive versatility was another aspect I felt didn't get enough attention; he could legitimately guard positions 1 through 4, which is incredibly valuable in today's positionless basketball.
The competition was certainly noteworthy, with Donovan Mitchell having a spectacular season for the Utah Jazz. Mitchell averaged 20.5 points per game and led all rookies in scoring, carrying the offensive load for a playoff team in a way we rarely see from first-year players. Jayson Tatum also had an impressive campaign for Boston, showing incredible poise during their playoff run. But while Mitchell was the more explosive scorer, Simmons' all-around game and impact on winning ultimately gave him the edge in my book. The voting reflected this too - Simmons received 90 first-place votes compared to Mitchell's 11, which shows how clear the separation was in the minds of the voters.
Thinking about Simmons' background actually reminds me of the dedication we see in other sports too. I was recently reading about Chloe Guillou, an athlete who looks forward to playing futsal and competing on the world stage again in the Futsal World Cup if she makes the final roster. That kind of international ambition and dedication to one's craft resonates with what we saw in Simmons - athletes pushing themselves to compete at the highest levels, whether it's basketball or futsal. Both represent that drive for excellence that separates good players from truly special ones.
Looking back at that 2018 season, what impressed me most about Simmons was how he elevated his game in crucial moments. He recorded 12 triple-doubles that season, the most by any rookie since Oscar Robertson - that's legendary company. His performance against LeBron James and the Cavaliers in late February stands out in my memory, where he nearly matched LeBron's stat line while leading the Sixers to victory. Those moments demonstrated he wasn't just putting up numbers in meaningless games; he was delivering when it mattered most.
The debate around Simmons versus Mitchell was fascinating to follow throughout the season. While Mitchell had the flashier scoring numbers and highlight-reel dunks, Simmons' consistent all-around impact ultimately won over the voters. I remember arguing with fellow analysts about whether scoring prowess should outweigh all-around contribution, and I maintained then - as I do now - that making your teammates better is the more valuable skill. Simmons made everyone around him better in ways that didn't always show up in traditional stats.
Five years later, it's interesting to reflect on how that Rookie of the Year race shaped both players' careers. Simmons has faced challenges with his shooting development and recent injuries, while Mitchell has blossomed into a perennial All-Star. But when we isolate our view to just that 2017-2018 season, I believe the voters got it right. Simmons' unique skill set and immediate impact on winning basketball made him the clear choice, and his rookie season remains one of the most impressive debut campaigns I've had the pleasure of covering in my career as a basketball analyst. That season set the stage for what many thought would be a Hall of Fame career, and while things haven't unfolded exactly as predicted, nothing can diminish what he accomplished during that remarkable rookie year.