Donovan Mitchell’s rookie season has been validated.
The Utah Jazz guard has been named to the NBA’s All-Rookie first team, along with Philadelphia 76ers guard Ben Simmons, former University of Utah and current Los Angeles Lakers forward Kyle Kuzma, Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum and Chicago Bulls forward Lauri Markkanen.
Mitchell and Simmons are unanimous selections, as voted on by media members who cover the NBA. Utah Jazz rookie Royce O’Neale, who played major minutes in the playoffs, also received four All-Rookie votes.
Mitchell, who the Jazz acquired via a draft-night trade with the Denver Nuggets, averaged 20.5 points to go along with 3.7 assists and 3.7 rebounds per night in his inaugural season. He led the Jazz in scoring, and set an NBA rookie record for made 3-pointers.
He became a fixture in Utah’s starting lineup in November and became the Jazz’ best and most important offensive weapon. He was even better in the playoffs, averaging 24.4 points in 11 postseason games. He scored more than 30 points twice in the playoffs, including 38 points in a closeout Game 6 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder, the win that propelled Utah into the second round.
The NBA will announce the rookie of the year on June 25 at its annual awards ceremony in Los Angeles.
NBA ALL-ROOKIE TEAM<br>First Team<br>Donovan Mitchell, Utah (200)<br>Ben Simmons, Philadelphia (200)<br>Jaysom Tatum, Boston (199)<br>Kyle Kuzma, L.A. Lakers (193)<br>Lauri Markkanen, Chicago (173)<br>Second Team<br>Dennis Smith, Dallas (96)<br>Lonzo Ball, L.A. Lakers (87)<br>John Collins, Atlanta (76)<br>Bogdan Bogdanovic, Sacramento (75)<br>Josh Jackson, Phoenix (45)<br>Points in parentheses.
