Utah Jazz: Donovan Mitchell is officially Leader of the New School

Donovan Mitchell’s incredible rookie season with the Utah Jazz has been recognized with an award from the NBPA.

Utah Jazz rookie Donovan Mitchell pulled off a particularly uncommon feat during his first year in the Association. I’m not talking about his statistical achievements, either; although dropping a 21-4-4 line puts him in rarefied air for first-year players.

Numbers aside, what I’m referring to was the way he took ownership of his team. The 2017-18 season may have been Mitchell’s initial foray into being a pro baller, but he carried himself like a seasoned vet. In doing so, he emerged as a floor leader and go-to guy for the Jazz.

Throw those two things together and you’ve got something special, and I’m not the only one who thinks so. Mitchell’s peers in the National Basketball Players Association thought so highly of the him that they’ve officially recognized him with an NBPA Players Voice award.

Per an announcement from the NBPA on Wednesday, Mitchell has been named The Leader of the New School.

One of the many new Players Voice categories, the Leader of the New School award honors “the rookie who rose to the occasion and proved they are a star in the making.”

I’d say that describes Mitchell to a T. If anything, he’s a bona fide star in the league already. No “in the making” qualifier is necessary. Thanks to his Herculean efforts, the Jazz won 48 games this season and were able to overcome Russell Westbrook, Paul George and the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first-round of the playoffs.

Mitchell’s Players Voice nod comes one week after he was a unanimous pick for the NBA All-Rookie First Team. The next item on his checklist for year-end hardware is the league’s Rookie of the Year trophy, where he faces stiff competition from the Philadelphia 76ers Ben Simmons.

Simmons, it seems, is the odds-on favorite for ROY. Nevertheless, the fact that NBA players have tapped Mitchell as their pick for top rookie speaks volumes. Basketball legends are on his bandwagon, too. Tracy McGrady recently called the Jazz star his “no debate” pick for ROY.

Here’s T-Mac’s endorsement from The Jump’s NBA Awards Recount —

Clearly, Mitchell’s exploits have resonated with the people that actually play the game.

Next: Utah Jazz: Colangelo scandal adds controversy to ROY race

Now, one could view the Players Voice award as a consolation prize, and Mitchell isn’t into moral Ws. However, I think Jazz fans will gladly take The Leader of the New School over the presumed ROY in Simmons.

Especially when he and his rogue GM allegedly gamed the system to get him the trophy.

Too soon, Sixers fans?