Going back to the summer of 2017, there were some who thought Utah Jazz rookie Donovan Mitchell had a chance to be special after he tore up the Summer League circuits in Salt Lake and Vegas. Somehow, Mitchell has still managed to exceed expectations during his first year in the league, which comes as a surprise to some.
As it turns out, one of those people that has been taken by surprise is Mitchell. Now one of the favorites for the Rookie of the Year award, Mitchell sat down with Uproxx to discuss participating in the Mountain Dew Rising Stars game, his dunk contest plans, and what he learned from now-former teammates Rodney Hood and Joe Johnson.
UPROXX: Describe the feeling you have knowing you’re going to play in the Mountain Dew Rising Stars Game
Donovan Mitchell: Man, it’s an incredible feeling. One, to be a part of the game is incredible in itself because, you know, I used to drink Mountain Dew as a kid. To be partnered with Mountain Dew Kickstarter is an incredible experience because I love not only to be to have a partnership with them, but to be able to play with this group of guys, it’s going to be special. There are a lot of talented players, think it’s going to be a sight to see for everyone. I think it’s going to be very competitive, that’s what I’m excited for.
Who’s the guy you’re most looking forward to playing with?
I’d say John Collins, because that’s my guy, and Kyle Kuzma. Those two for sure.
You’re in the dunk contest as well, do you have anything special planned for that day?
It’s kinda crazy with our schedule and finding out so late that I was gonna be in it. Fortunately I’ve been a dunk addict since I was in high school so I have some things that I want to do and hopefully the world likes what I do. I’m definitely excited for what I got.
What’s your favorite non-Vince Carter dunk contest?
Probably the 2016 dunk contest with Zach LaVine and Aaron Gordon, [I] think it brought the energy and vibe back for sure. I’m sure the contest had that, but guys were missing dunks. Those guys weren’t missing dunks and I think that was a pretty unique thing about that one.
You’re shooting 35 percent from the three-point line, did you see that coming this season?
No sir, if you look at my first few games, I just looked this up. I think I had 10 points, one rebound the first game. Two points, one rebound the next game. Two points, one rebound, and six assists the third game.
So I really didn’t see any of this coming, to be honest with you. I think the biggest thing I’ve been focused on is learning and treating this as a learning experience with all the success I’ve been having. I think I haven’t forgotten this is all a learning experience. It’s my rookie year, ya know? It’s my freshman year in college all over again and I think coming in with that mindset allows me to grow in ways I didn’t even see myself growing and allows me to make the plays that I’ve been making.
You said you didn’t see this success coming, what are a few things that Coach [Quin] Snyder has taught you to help acclimate you to the league?
I can’t really pick just one, but being able to able read pick and rolls. Myself, coach, and (assistant coach) Johnny Bryant, we’ve been really working on the pick and roll. We’ve really focused on how to read certain coverages and how to find guys. At the beginning of the year, I was mainly using the pick and roll just to score. Now I’m using it as a threat to pass, to initiate the offense. To get a better understanding of how I could get to the basket, but now it’s about finding the right guys and making the right decisions.
You mentioned learning from Rodney Hood and Joe Johnson the day they were traded, what did you learn from them?
With Rodney, it was more so the offense when Dante [Exum] went out. Understanding coach’s terminology, what coach wants, how to deal with certain situations on the court. I think that was the biggest thing with him, because he obviously had playoff experience, we played the same position, and he was teaching me step by step. If I made a mistake within the offense, he’d come and correct me — this is what was supposed to happen and how the play was supposed to look like.
He was very encouraging, a lot of guys in the same position when they have a rookie come in, they usually kinda write you off and focus on themselves, and he was the exact opposite. I think that was what really stood out to me. He was probably the most willing guy, especially at that position, to kinda teach me certain things, and that’s why I have the utmost respect for Rodney and I’m glad he’s getting the chance to be able to do his thing.
With Joe, you might laugh at this, but I figured out exactly how a buyout works. That was one of the big things I learned from Joe. He explained that to me. Just things like why teams trade, what teams sign people that people go crazy about, and then next year learn why the teams did it. Understanding that side of the game is one of the things I learned from him a lot. Understanding why a three-team trade goes down, what is a sign and trade. Understanding the terminology, but also learning why teams do certain things, it allows you to grow mentally and you understand what’s going on around you. I thank Joe for teaching that to me.
Has there been a big transition moving from Louisville to Salt Lake?
I consider them kinda similar, because the Jazz are the big team in town. That’s how we were at Louisville. The restaurants do close a little bit earlier, and nothing is really open on Sundays because of the Mormon church. Those are the big, standout-ish things. But I love where I’m at, I think they’re so similar and that’s why I love it so much, because it reminds me of Louisville. I feel like I’ve been here not just one year, but multiple years, that’s what I love so much about Salt Lake.
What’s the most underrated thing to do in Salt Lake?
I would say for me, you can’t beat going to a basketball game, I love watching basketball. You can’t beat that. That’s my number one favorite thing to do out here. And honestly, driving around looking at the mountains. I know that sounds weird and I’m not a person who loves scenery, but to be able to look and drive at the mountains and the snow, they’re beautiful.
