'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
#3 Ben Simmons
Ben Simmons is one of the NBA's brightest young stars. He came into the league as a 6-foot-10 player with the abilities of a point guard. He is one of the Sixers' core players and has been critical in their success.
Simmons was the first pick of the 2016 NBA draft. The guard/forward from Lousiana State University (LSU) caught the attention of the NBA and some of its best players (such as LeBron James). While the Philadelphia Sixers drafted him in 2016, he did not play until the 2017-18 season.
During a training camp scrimmage, Simmons injured his right ankle. An X-Ray and MRI revealed that he suffered a fracture of the fifth metatarsal bone of his right foot.
He was initially ruled out for four months, but the Sixers ruled him out for the season after his foot failed to heal correctly. Simmons (and the Sixers) had to wait a year before he made his regular-season debut. But it was worth it.
In the 2017-18 season, Simmons averaged 15.8 points, 8.2 assists, 8.1 rebounds, and 1.7 steals. He nearly averaged a triple-double, as he had several throughout the season.
In his fourth game of the season, Simmons tallied his first career triple-double. He finished the game with 21 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists.
He became the third rookie to record a triple-double in his first four games. The other two were Oscar Robertson and Art Williams.
His first 10 games were impressive, as he became the only player in history to begin a season with at least 170 points, 100 rebounds and 80 assists. This is a remarkable accomplishment, and he continued to impress throughout the season.
Later in the season, Simmons became the third rookie in history to reach 1,000 points, 500 rebounds, and 500 assists. He joined legendary guards Oscar Robertson (again) and Magic Johnson.
Simmons won Rookie of the Year, after beating out 2017 draftee Donovan Mitchell. Mitchell had an impressive season as well and was Simmons' biggest competition. But Simmons managed to win the award as he accomplished great things.
Ben Simmons is a great player with a bright future. If he continues to progress, he will accomplish much more.
