Jimmy Butler expressed his first impressions of Utah Jazz rookie shooting guard Donovan Mitchell after facing him for the second time this season in a 109-98 win on Monday.
“That kid can play, man,” said Butler, according to Spencer Checketts of 1280 Sports radio. “He can shoot it, he's athletic, he guards. He plays with a chip on his shoulder. I'm a fan for sure.”
Mitchell was drafted as a three-and-D prospect out of Louisville and it hasn't taken him very long to make his presence felt, as he's taken over the starting shooting guard spot only 12 games into the season, now having posted back-to-back 20-point games with his first two games as a starter.
The 21-year-old has had his share of struggles, but has displayed an unwavering penchant for defense and a much-needed disposition to shoot the three — an aspect the Jazz have been in dire need of with the way this roster was built.
Mitchell's 24 points tied a game-high from Karl-Anthony Towns and his four steals accounted for half of the Jazz's totals.
A star on the rise, the former Cardinal is slowly inching his way as one of the top candidates for the Rookie of the Year award, especially if he can hold onto that starting job through the midway point of the NBA season.
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