NBA revealed on Tuesday that Philadelphia 76ers’ Ben Simmons and Utah Jazz’s Donovan Mitchell were voted unanimously to the NBA All-Rookie First Team. Boston Celtics’ Jason Tatum was one vote short from unanimous selection, receiving 99 First Team votes. Simmons, Mitchell, and Tatum are also in the running for NBA Rookie of the Year award.
Los Angeles Lakers’ Kyle Kuzma (93 First Team votes) and Chicago Bulls’ Lauri Markkanen (76 First Team votes) also made it to the NBA All-Rookie First Team.
The 2017-18 NBA All-Rookie First Team! @spidadmitchell @BenSimmons25 @jaytatum0 @kylekuzma @MarkkanenLauri pic.twitter.com/9Sk3KGHlOI
— NBA (@NBA) May 22, 2018
NBA All-Rookie First Team selection is a particular success for Kyle Kuzma since he was the only non-lottery draft pick to receive the honors. But, this wasn’t something Kuzma didn’t expect at the beginning of his NBA journey.
8 months ago, @kylekuzma penned his goal for the season. Today, he made it a reality.
📰: https://t.co/MCvDrLzwWn pic.twitter.com/Q2o5VTS64A
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) May 22, 2018
“This is one of the best draft classes in the past 10-15 years, or they say since ’03,” – said Kuzma following the news. “Just a credit to the level of talent that has come into this league and really took it by storm and everything.“
The league also revealed the NBA All-Rookie Second Team that consists of Lakers’ Lonzo Ball, Sacramento Kings’ Bogdan Bogdanovic, Atlanta Hawks’ John Collins, Phoenix Suns’ Josh Jackson and Dallas Mavericks’ Dennis Smith Jr.
