Ben Simmons Backing Himself for NBA Rookie of the Year

After being named NBA player of the week, Philadelphia 76ers’ rookie Ben Simmons is backing himself for even more accolades.

The 6-foot-10 Australian point guard is enjoying a highly impactful first NBA season, and feels he deserves recognition. Speaking to ESPN, he made his opinion clear.

“Who would I pick? Me, 100 percent. I think I have been playing solid all year. If you look at the numbers, you will see. People who know the game know.”

The 21 year old is averaging 16.0 points, 8.1 rebounds and 8.2 assists per game for the Philadelphia 76ers this season. Ben Simmons has also scored 12 triple-doubles, which places him second in NBA rookie history, behind Oscar Robertson (26).

Simmons is contributing to a competitive Philadelphia team. The 76ers are third in the Eastern Conference, having won 50 games for the first time since the 2001-2002 season. The team is currently on a league-high 14 game winning streak.

In the team’s last four wins, Ben Simmons has averaged averaged 18.5 points, 10 rebounds and 8.8 assists.

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Simmons, the No.1 Pick in the 2016 draft missed that season with a fractured metatarsal in his right foot. He isn’t listening to those who suggest that his injury means that this is not his “true” rookie season.

“Coming off a broken foot is definitely not an edge, but people are always going to say what they want to say. But at the end of the day, this is my first year in the league. If you’re a guy coming from overseas, you’re still a rookie and you can be 30 years old. So there’s a rule in there.”

Simmons credited 76ers coach Brett Brown for coaching him as a point guard:

“He put me in position as the point guard, and I don’t think he thought it would work out this well as it has. I think it is a lot of credit to Coach for sticking me in that position and trusting me.”