Who Won the 2018 NBA Rookie of the Year and How Did They Dominate the Season?

I still remember the buzz surrounding the 2018 NBA draft class—the anticipation was electric, with analysts debating endlessly about which young star would rise to claim the Rookie of the Year honors. As someone who’s followed the league for over a decade, I’ve seen plenty of promising newcomers, but what Ben Simmons and Donovan Mitchell achieved that season felt different. It wasn’t just about raw talent; it was about two players redefining what a rookie could accomplish, dominating the narrative in ways that reminded me of how emerging talents in other sports, like futsal star Guillou, approach their own global stages. Guillou’s excitement for the Futsal World Cup, hoping to make the final roster and compete internationally, mirrors that hunger we saw in the NBA—a drive to seize the moment and leave a mark.

Let’s start with Ben Simmons, who took home the award with a stat line that’s almost hard to believe for a first-year player: 15.8 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 8.2 assists per game. I mean, come on—those are LeBron-esque numbers, and Simmons made it look effortless. Standing at 6'10", he played like a point guard, orchestrating the Philadelphia 76ers’ offense with a poise that defied his age. I recall watching him in a game against the Cleveland Cavaliers where he notched a triple-double, and it hit me: this guy wasn’t just playing; he was controlling the floor. His court vision was off the charts, and he leveraged his size to bully smaller defenders, all while shooting over 54% from the field. Sure, his lack of a three-point shot was a talking point—critics loved to harp on that—but honestly, it didn’t matter much when he was finishing at the rim or dishing out dimes like a seasoned vet. What stood out to me, though, was his impact beyond the stats. He elevated the Sixers from a 28-win team the previous year to a 52-win powerhouse, and that turnaround isn’t something you see every day. It’s similar to how Guillou, in futsal, isn’t just waiting for her chance on the world stage; she’s actively shaping it, using her skills to dominate in tight spaces and inspire her team. Simmons did the same, turning Philly into a must-watch team and proving that rookies could lead a franchise resurgence.

Then there’s Donovan Mitchell, who, in my opinion, was robbed of the award—yeah, I said it. The Utah Jazz guard exploded onto the scene with 20.5 points per game, carrying his team to the playoffs in a way that felt almost heroic. I’ll never forget his 38-point outburst against the Oklahoma City Thunder in the postseason; it was a statement game that showed he wasn’t afraid of the big moments. Mitchell played with a swagger that’s rare for a rookie, attacking the rim with ferocity and knocking down clutch shots as if he’d been in the league for years. His athleticism was jaw-dropping—think Vince Carter meets Dwyane Wade—and he used it to posterize defenders and ignite the crowd. But what I loved most was his resilience; after a slow start, he adapted quickly, refining his three-point shooting to hit over 34% from deep. That growth mindset reminds me of Guillou’s approach in futsal, where she’s not just relying on innate talent but eagerly anticipating the chance to prove herself on the global stage again. Mitchell did exactly that, stepping up when the Jazz needed him most and nearly stealing the ROY crown in a historically tight race. Statistically, he edged out Simmons in scoring and efficiency in key moments, and if you ask me, the narrative of "leading a team" should have weighed more heavily in his favor.

Looking back, the 2018 rookie class was one for the ages, and the Simmons-Mitchell debate still sparks conversations among fans. From my perspective, both players dominated in unique ways—Simmons with his all-around genius and Mitchell with his scoring explosions—and they set a new benchmark for future rookies. It’s like how Guillou’s journey in futsal, aiming for the World Cup, underscores the importance of seizing opportunities; these NBA rookies did just that, turning potential into performance. In the end, Simmons won the hardware, but Mitchell won plenty of hearts, and as a basketball enthusiast, I’m just grateful I got to witness it all unfold.