Donovan Mitchell

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Mitchell's journey began with a standout college career at Louisville, where he earned first-team all-conference honors in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) in 2017. As a rookie with the Utah Jazz, he immediately made an impact, scoring 37 points in the 2017 NBA Summer League and setting a franchise record for a rookie with 41 points against the New Orleans Pelicans on December 1, 2017. His rookie season culminated in winning the Slam Dunk Contest in 2018 after being named an injury replacement for Aaron Gordon. Mitchell set multiple records, including becoming the first rookie guard to notch two 40-point games since Allen Iverson and leading the Jazz to a playoff victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder where he averaged 28.5 points.

In Their Own Story

In the 2022 trade that moved him from Utah to Cleveland, Mitchell arrived with the goal of revitalizing the franchise. He quickly delivered on that promise, leading the Cavaliers to the postseason for the first time since the 2017–18 season and marking the team's first playoff appearance without LeBron James since 1997–98. That same season, he etched his name in history by scoring a Cavaliers record 71 points in a single game. By 2025, Mitchell had guided Cleveland to the best record in the Eastern Conference, earning him a spot on the All-NBA First Team and solidifying his status as a cornerstone of the franchise's resurgence.

Reader's Guide

Mitchell played college basketball for the Louisville Cardinals before entering the 2017 NBA draft. He was drafted by the Denver Nuggets with the 13th overall pick but immediately traded to the Utah Jazz. During his time in Cleveland, he established himself as a premier scorer and leader. Fans can track his achievements through his seven All-Star appearances and three All-NBA Team selections. His career highlights include winning the Slam Dunk Contest in 2018, recording a franchise-record 71 points for the Cavaliers, and leading the team to significant playoff success in the absence of previous superstars.

Did You Know?

• Mitchell won the Slam Dunk Contest in 2018, becoming the first rookie to win since Zach LaVine.
• He scored a Cavaliers record 71 points in a single game during his tenure with Cleveland.
• As a rookie, Mitchell surpassed Darrell Griffith's franchise record for most 30-plus point games and became the first rookie to score 40+ points since Blake Griffin in 2011.
• Mitchell spent his childhood around Major League Baseball locker rooms because his father was a director of player relations for the New York Mets.