Simmons picks up major NBA honour

AUSTRALIA’S Ben Simmons did not win an NBA title with the Philadelphia 76ers in his first year in the league, but he has just picked up one of the NBA’s major honours.

Simmons was unanimously selected to the 2017-18 NBA All-Rookie First Team after receiving first-place votes on all 100 ballots from a global panel of sportswriters and broadcasters.

Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell also received a perfect vote and place in the AllRookie First Team.

The announcement adds to the intrigue ahead of the announcement on June 25 of the NBA’s Rookie of the Year award, with Simmons and Mitchell dual favourites. Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum, with 99 First Team votes, fell one vote shy of joining Mitchell and Simmons as a unanimous selection to the NBA All-Rookie First Team.

The team also features LA Lakers forward Kyle Kuzma, with 93 first team votes, and Chicago Bulls forward Lauri Markkanen (76 votes). Mitchell, Simmons and Tatum are the three finalists for the NBA Rookie of the Year award.

LA Lakers guard Lonzo Ball, Sacramento Kings guard Bogdan Bogdanovic, Atlanta Hawks forward/centre John Collins, Phoenix Suns forward Josh Jackson and Dallas Mavericks guard Dennis Smith Jr were named on the NBA All-Rookie Second Team.

The 76ers were knocked out of the playoffs earlier this month by Tatum’s Celtics.