For Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell, having a chance to represent the country is an honor. However, apart from vying for a spot on the final 12-man roster, he's also taking this opportunity to foster his relationship with De’Aaron Fox, Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum.
Mitchell shared that he, Fox, Tatum and Brown go far back, so playing alonside them on an international level is extra special for him.
“I’ve been playing with [De’Aaron] Fox and Jayson [Tatum] and Jaylen Brown since we were in high school,” Mitchell said, Jazz reporter Jason Falk. “To be able to play with them on an international level is special. It’s just fun. I’m enjoying this experience.”
Mitchell, the 13th overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft, quickly rose from being an unheralded prospect to one of the hottest young talents in the NBA. He made a legitimate case for the 2017-18 rookie of the year award and could have run away with it had it not for Ben Simmons.
Apart from his supreme athletic ability, many have praised his veteran-like savviness — something that not all 22-year-olds possess. And whether donning the Jazz or Team USA jersey, Mitchell's maturity is still on cue.
“We’re not focused on the names on the back of the jersey,” Mitchell said on his Team USA stint so far. “Just the name on the front.”
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