2017-18 NBA Rookie of the Year ladder: Week 16 power rankings
2. Donovan Mitchell, Utah Jazz
Last week: 1st (↓1)
The Utah Jazz have won two games in a row, riding the wave of rookie Donovan Mitchell, but even then, his production lately hasn’t been quite enough to keep Ben Simmons off his heels. Mitchell put up 18.0 points to lead all rookies this past week, but his shooting has taken a hit.
He has shot better from 3-point range (38.9 percent) than he has from the field (37 percent) in their last three contests. As he’s nearly attempting 20 shots per game (18.9), Mitchell’s efficiency has dropped a bit. Although his shooting percentage has dropped, he still put up double figures in all three games.
Following another strong Donovan Mitchell alley-oop tonight, look back at EACH of his oops so far this season! #TakeNote #NBARooks pic.twitter.com/1ChynoUluV
— NBA (@NBA) January 25, 2018
Mitchell has been the best rookie on the Utah Jazz roster since Darrell Griffith (1980-81) to make noise in his first season. Ironically, both players attended college at the University of Louisville. He’s done well with the keys he’s been handed since the departure of Gordon Hayward.