Donovan Mitchell isn’t giving up in the race for the NBA’s Rookie of the Year award.
The Utah Jazz guard has had a phenomenal rookie campaign, leading the Jazz to a playoff berth while averaging 20.5 points, 3.7 assists and 3.7 rebounds per game.
But while Donovan has been sensational, many expect Philadelphia 76ers guard Ben Simmons to take home ROY honors. Simmons has publically said he “100 percent” should win the award, which prompted a hilarious social media response from Mitchell.
And the Lousiville product continued to campaign for the award Tuesday by taking a shot at Simmons, by wearing a hilarious sweatshirt with the definition of rookie written across it.
This, of course, is in reference to the fact that Simmons was drafted in 2016, but sat out last season with an injury which, in Mitchell’s eyes, means the LSU product is not, in fact, a rookie.
It’s an interesting debate. Even though Simmons didn’t play last season, he still was around the team and was able to work on his game 24/7 while he rehabbed from his injury. Mitchell, on the other hand, was busy juggling his responsibilities as a student-athlete at Louisville last season and is experiencing the NBA travel grind for the first time this year.
No matter what side of the debate you fall on, Simmons has been electric this season for the 76ers. The 21-year-old is averaging 16 points, 8.2 rebounds and 8.1 assists in his first NBA campaign.
