Who Won the 2018 NBA Rookie of the Year and How They Made History

I still remember the buzz surrounding the 2018 NBA draft class, and looking back now, it's fascinating to see how one player not only met but dramatically exceeded those sky-high expectations. The 2018 NBA Rookie of the Year award went to Ben Simmons of the Philadelphia 76ers, and his victory was anything but ordinary. While the official announcement came during the NBA Awards show on June 25, 2018, his campaign throughout the season felt like a continuous highlight reel that redefined what we expect from a first-year player. I’ve followed rookie classes for over a decade, and I can confidently say Simmons’ season was a masterclass in immediate impact, blending court vision, defensive versatility, and a maturity that you rarely see in a 21-year-old.

What made Simmons’ Rookie of the Year win particularly historic was his unique statistical profile. He averaged 15.8 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 8.2 assists per game, joining Oscar Robertson and Magic Johnson as the only rookies in league history to post such numbers. Let’s be real—those are Hall of Fame company. I recall watching one of his early-season games where he notched a triple-double, and it struck me that he played with the pace and control of a veteran. The fact that he recorded 12 triple-doubles that season, the most by any rookie since Robertson, speaks volumes about his all-around game. Some critics pointed to his lack of a reliable jump shot, but honestly, his ability to dominate without it just underscored his basketball IQ. He leveraged his size and speed to attack the rim and create for others in a way that felt revolutionary for a point guard of his stature.

Simmons’ impact wasn’t just about individual stats; it translated directly into team success. The 76ers improved from a 28-54 record the previous year to 52-30, securing the third seed in the Eastern Conference. I remember analyzing their turnaround and thinking how much of it hinged on Simmons’ chemistry with Joel Embiid. Their two-man game was a nightmare for defenses, and Simmons’ unselfishness set the tone for the entire squad. He wasn’t just piling up numbers in garbage time—he was orchestrating the offense in clutch moments, something you don’t typically see from a rookie. In fact, Philadelphia’s offensive rating jumped by nearly 7 points when he was on the floor, a stat that still impresses me whenever I revisit it.

The voting results further highlighted how dominant his season was. Simmons received 90 out of a possible 100 first-place votes, leaving Donovan Mitchell and Jayson Tatum in his wake. I’ll admit, I was initially torn between Simmons and Mitchell, who had an explosive scoring season of his own, but Simmons’ two-way influence ultimately won me over. His defensive contributions—1.7 steals per game and the ability to guard multiple positions—gave him the edge in my book. It’s worth noting that Simmons also became the first player since 1958 to win Rookie of the Year without having played in the previous season, as he was sidelined his actual rookie year due to injury. That narrative of resilience added a compelling layer to his story, and in my view, it made his achievements all the more remarkable.

Reflecting on Simmons’ rookie year, it’s clear he didn’t just win an award; he set a new benchmark for future classes. His blend of size, skill, and basketball intelligence created a prototype for the modern point forward, influencing how teams evaluate prospects today. While his career has had its ups and downs since then, that 2017-18 season remains a shining example of rookie excellence. In the grand scheme of things, Simmons didn’t just make history—he reminded us why we love watching young talents rewrite the rules.