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