Ben Simmons has taken the league by storm in his de facto rookie year, leading the Sixers to their first 50-win season since 2001 and achieving multiple personal milestones along the way. The former number one overall pick has grown into his role game by game and already looks like a polished All Star calibre player just one campaign into his hugely promising career. He's averaging 16 points, 8.2 assists, 8.1 boards and 1.7 steals per game, and in his mind the 2018 Rookie of the Year award should be his.

“Who would I pick? Me, 100 percent,” Simmons told ESPN's Chris Haynes on Saturday. “I think I have been playing solid all year. If you look at the numbers, you will see. People who know the game know.”

His confidence isn't misplaced either. Simmons' production has been historic for a first year player, and he's delivered some mesmerising performances on the brightest of regular season stages. 

None more so than a 27-point triple double (13 dimes, 15 boards) in leading the Sixers to an epic 132-130 victory of LeBron James' Cavaliers last week. Simmons' personal duel with James was one to savour for basketball purists, with a simply ridiculous array of skills on display between the two providing tangible evidence to suggest Simmons could be the heir apparent to 'The King's' sizeable throne. 

Speaking of triple doubles, the 21-year-old is producing them at an historic rate. He's notched 12 of them this season, which ranks him third in the league behind Russell Westbrook (24) and James (18).

It also places him second all-time amongst rookies behind Hall of Famer Oscar Robertson. 

Even more impressively, amidst the Sixers franchise record-tying 14 game win streak, Simmons is averaging a triple-double. To place some significance on that, it's the first time in NBA history that a player has posted a triple-double average over a win streak of 10 games or more. 

Though he's been nothing short of sensation for Philly, he's by no means the runaway favourite for the award. Utah's Donovan Mitchell has compiled a fine debut campaign of his own, leading the Jazz to a playoff berth and posting a rookie-high 20.5 points per game. 

Mitchell's dynamic playmaking ability has been eye-catching on a daily basis and he too has etched his name in the rookie record books this season. The former Louisville guard is the fastest rookie in league history to 150 3-pointers (63 games) and currently sits second on the all-time rookie 3-point list with 178, just seven shy of Damian Lillard's record. 

However, when asked which fellow rookies had impressed him, Simmons didn't beat around the bush:

"None," he said. "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."

Simmons and Mitchell will be vying for Rookie of the Year whether the Sixers' star likes it or not, but he also has much loftier goals looking forward.

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." the former LSU standout noted.