Louisville guard Donovan Mitchell (45) drives towards the hoop during the quarterfinals of the 2017 New York Life ACC Tournament at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y., Thursday, March 9, 2017. (Photo by David Welker, theACC.com)

Donovan Mitchell Named NBA All-Star

Mark BlankenbakerJanuary 30, 2020

Donovan Mitchell was named to the NBA All-Star West squad representing the Utah Jazz on Thursday. Donovan becomes the 6th former Louisville Cardinal to be named an All-Star and the 1st since 1975:

Donovan Mitchell – 2020
Jim Price – 1975
Butch Beard – 1972
Wes Unseld – 1969, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975
Chuck Noble – 1960
Jack Coleman – 1955

(research courtesy of Kelly Dickey)

Mitchell was voted an All-Star reserve by the league’s coaches after leading the Jazz to a 32-15 record, fourth-best in the Western Conference. Donovan is averaging a career-high 25 points per game (13th best in the entire league) in his third NBA season.

“If you’re reading this letter, it’s because you’re now an #NBAAllStar.”

✍️ @spidadmitchell’s mother, Nicole. pic.twitter.com/soLpgrd6Sg
— NBA (@NBA) January 31, 2020

Mitchell learned he’d been selected to his first All-Star Game when he opened a letter from his mother Nicole, breaking the news and reflecting on the long hours of work and dedication it had taken to get to this point.

“I didn’t expect to be in the NBA,” Mitchell said. “To not only be here but to be on a team like this, to be an All-Star and to represent my team with Rudy is such a blessing.”

Mitchell reflected on last year’s playoffs, a crushing Game 5 loss in Houston and how it motivated him.

“I said to myself that I’d do whatever it takes to come back better,” Mitchell said. “There’s more for me to do but that one for me really hits.”