Utah Jazz rookie Donovan Mitchell bags home the 2018 Verizon Slam Dunk Contest title. Mitchell pulled off the win over Cleveland Cavaliers power forward Larry Nance Jr. He had his work cut out for him, going up against Dennis Smith Jr. and Victor Oladipo as well in the earlier rounds.
Mitchell, the 13th pick of last June's NBA Draft by the Denver Nuggets, won the crown by way of a throwback slam that brings to mind one of the most iconic dunks of all-time courtesy of then-Toronto Raptors star Vince Carter.
Here's Carter's actual dunk from the 2000 All-Star Weekend, side-by-side with Mitchell's.
Donovan Mitchell's dunk was straight garbage compared to the Vince Carter dunk pic.twitter.com/UUWuwtMl8I
— Gifdsports (@gifdsports) February 18, 2018
All season long, Mitchell has awed Jazz fans, and everyone, with his above-the-rim exploits, and he stamped his class with authority Friday night in Los Angeles with the win.
Mitchell sure came prepared for this one. His earlier dunks featured creativity that goes beyond pure athleticism. He was a showman tonight.
For his opening slam, Mitchell bounced the ball off one backboard, caught it in mid-air, and windmilled it for the nasty finish on the other rim. Yes, there were two hoops.
Donovan Mitchell off the wall 😲 pic.twitter.com/QmPxZ3KqVW
— Dime (@DimeUPROXX) February 18, 2018
The Jazz guard then used famous comedian Kevin Hart along with a bunch of other people, jumping off of them all while wearing a nice throwback jersey. While jumping over Hart isn't really much of a jaw-dropper compared to the other dunkers who also leaped over people, the star power was more than enough.
Donovan Mitchell picks up a 50 of his own 👏👏 pic.twitter.com/qHvCjOKPHp
— Dime (@DimeUPROXX) February 18, 2018
Taking a break from the showmanship, Mitchell reminded everyone of his sheer athleticism with this dunk where he extended his arm all the way to Salt Lake City.
Donovan Mitchell full extension! pic.twitter.com/4V6e6CEzx4
— Dime (@DimeUPROXX) February 18, 2018
Mitchell is the second Jazz player to be named Slam Dunk King, following Jeremy Evans, the human pogo stick, who won the event in 2012 in the All-Star Weekend that was held in Orlando.
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