Ben Simmons on Rookie of the Year Award: 'Who Would I Pick? Me, 100 Percent'

Philadelphia 76ers rookie sensation Ben Simmons weighed in on the Rookie of the Year debate Saturday, saying he would pick himself over Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell and any other player.

"Who would I pick? Me, 100 percent," Simmons told Chris Haynes of ESPN.com. "I think I have been playing solid all year. If you look at the numbers, you will see. People who know the game know."

He also disputed that he wasn't really a rookie since he was drafted two years ago. Simmons missed the 2016-17 season with a fractured right foot.

"Coming off a broken foot is definitely not an edge, but people are always going to say what they want to say," he noted. "But at the end of the day, this is my first year in the league. If you're a guy coming from overseas, you're still a rookie and you can be 30 years old. So there's a rule in there."

Simmons, 21, has compiled an impressive resume. He's averaging 16.0 points, 8.2 assists, 8.1 rebounds and 1.7 steals per game, playing a key role in helping to lead the Sixers to a 50-30 record.

He has also made a major impact on the defensive end and has posted some wild stats during the team's 14-game winning streak and throughout the season:

Plus, he ranks second in NBA history with 12 triple-doubles as a rookie—behind only Oscar Robertson, who recorded an incredible 26 for the Cincinnati Royals in the 1960-61 campaign.

Mitchell, of course, has also been impressive, averaging 20.5 points, 3.7 assists, 3.7 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game for the for the 47-33 Jazz. But Simmons said he doesn't pay attention to what Mitchell or any other rookie is doing.

"None," he said when asked which rookies have caught his eye. "I want to be where the greats are. So, for me, I watch the guys like [Kevin Durant], [LeBron James], [Stephen] Curry, Russell [Westbrook]. Guys like that. That's where I want to be. I think for me, that's what I love to watch."

And while Simmons has his sights set on the Rookie of the Year Award, his gaze extends further.

"Championships," Simmons said. "I want to be the Defensive Player of the Year ... MVP. There's a lot of accolades I want to get, but I ultimately want to win a ring."

Certainly, the Sixers are equipped to be contenders for years to come. Along with their 6'10" point forward, the team features Joel Embiid, who is fast becoming one of the most dominant two-way players in the game. Philadelphia's young supporting cast includes Dario Saric (24), Robert Covington (27) and Markelle Fultz (19).

The team will also have cap space this summer and could attract a top free agent. As young and upcoming squads go, it's hard to find one better positioned than the Sixers. Simmons' play has accelerated their ascension and in the process put him in position to win the Rookie of the Year Award as the voters decide the Simmons vs. Mitchell debate once and for all.