2017-18 NBA Rookie of the Year ladder: Week 17 power rankings

Photo by Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images
Photo by Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images
10 of 11
Photo by Michael Gonzales/NBAE via Getty Images
Photo by Michael Gonzales/NBAE via Getty Images

2. Donovan Mitchell, Utah Jazz

Last week: 2nd (↔)

The Utah Jazz are reaping the rewards of having rookie Donovan Mitchell on the roster this season. The former 13th overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft continues to impress after turning in the second 40-point game of his young career.

Mitchell put up 40 points, six assists, five rebounds and two steals in a 129-97 victory over the Phoenix Suns. He drained a career-high seven 3-pointers and was an efficient 14-of-19 (73.7 percent) from the field in the game.

https://twitter.com/BleacherReport/status/959643868529438722

The former Louisville Cardinal has been impressive in his first season in the NBA but he hasn’t been a presence on both ends quite like Ben Simmons has. The Jazz are 6-2 since center Rudy Gobert‘s return to the rotation, something that’s improved Mitchell’s numbers lately.

Mitchell has still taken home two straight Rookie of the Month awards in December and January. If he keeps this up, he’ll be looking at three in a row.