Julius Erving Says Ben Simmons' Skill Set Might Be 'Once in a Lifetime'

Philadelphia 76ers rookie Ben Simmons received a big endorsement from Sixers legend Julius Erving.

Speaking about the 21-year-old point guard, Erving said he possesses a skill set that is "once in a decade, maybe once in a lifetime," according to Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer.

Simmons is the runaway favorite to win Rookie of the Year in 2017-18. After missing his entire first season, he's averaging 15.8 points, 8.0 rebounds and 8.2 assists through 75 games. The Sixers' net rating falls by 10.8 points per 100 possessions when Simmons leaves the floor, per NBA.com.

Simmons' shooting—or lack thereof—is what makes him such a unique talent. He has missed all of his 11 three-point attempts, and despite that, he has been a massive success so far.

If Simmons can develop a jumper, then Erving's assessment may not be wide of the mark.