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Through the first few months of the season, Utah Jazz rookie guard Donovan Mitchell has been one of the pleasant surprises in the league.
Donovan's continued stellar player has caught the attention of other established players around the league. Following his 29-point outing in the 103-89 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Saturday night, ALl-Star forward Carmelo Anthony had some high praise for the 21-year-old.
Carmelo Anthony declined to tell exactly what he, Russ and PG said to Donovan Mitchell postgame, but said of Mitchell, “The Utah organization and the fans have something special they can look forward to…I think you guys are watching something here that could be very special.” pic.twitter.com/O0tjv49J87
— Fred Katz (@FredKatz) December 24, 2017
This came after an impressive outing where he shot an efficient 12 of 16 shooting from the field to become the first rookie guard since Russell Westbrook back in 2008 to shoot 75.0 percent or better from the field in a single game with a minimum of 15 shots attempted. The former Louisville product has been an offensive spark plug in his first season with the Jazz working his way into the starting lineup. He currently leads all rookies with 13 games with 20 or more points, 72 made 3-pointers and scoring at 18.0 points per game.
Mitchell has also joined three other rookies since the 1983-84 season who have recorded six 25-point outings in December. This began with becoming the first rookie since Blake Griffin to score 40 or points in 2011 and it's the first 40-point performance by a Jazz player since Al Jefferson back in April 2013.
All of this has thrust Mitchell into the conversation as being in the early conversation for the Rookie of the Year award. Beyond that, it's clear that he has the potential to quickly become one of the rising stars in the league.
