Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Donovan Mitchell

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Donovan Mitchell made an impact.

Donovan Mitchell, nicknamed "Spida", is a highly accomplished American professional basketball player currently playing for the Cleveland Cavaliers. Drafted in the first round of the 2017 NBA draft, he initially played for the Utah Jazz (2017-2022). He's a six-time NBA All-Star and earned All-NBA Second Team honors in 2023, solidifying his status as one of the league's premier players.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1997: Jazz Finished with Top Seed

In 2021, despite Donovan Mitchell suffering an ankle sprain, the Jazz finished with the NBA's top seed and home-court advantage throughout the entire postseason for the first time since 1997–98.

1997: Cavaliers Post-Season

In 2022, Donovan Mitchell lead the Cleveland Cavaliers to the post-season for the first time since the 1997-98 season without LeBron James.

2016: Cavaliers Multiple 40-Point Scorers

On October 28, 2022, Mitchell and teammate Caris LeVert each had 41 points for the Cavaliers. The last time the Cavaliers had multiple 40-point scorers was Game 5 of the 2016 NBA Finals.

July 5, 2017: Signed Four-Year Contract with Jazz

On July 5, 2017, Donovan Mitchell signed a four-year rookie scale contract with the Utah Jazz.

July 11, 2017: Signed Shoe Deal with Adidas and Scored 37 Points

On July 11, 2017, Donovan Mitchell signed a multi-year shoe deal with Adidas. Later that day, he scored 37 points against the Memphis Grizzlies in the 2017 NBA Summer League in Las Vegas.

October 18, 2017: NBA Debut

On October 18, 2017, Donovan Mitchell made his NBA debut, registering 10 points and four assists against the Denver Nuggets.

December 1, 2017: Career-High 41 Points

On December 1, 2017, Donovan Mitchell scored a career-high 41 points in a 114–108 win over the New Orleans Pelicans, setting the Jazz scoring record for a rookie.

2017: Appears on Slam cover and stars in Rookie on the Rise documentary

In 2017, Donovan Mitchell appeared on the cover of Slam magazine and starred in a documentary called Rookie on the Rise, which follows his journey during the NBA Rookie of the Year race.

2017: Declared for the NBA draft

In 2017, Donovan Mitchell declared for the NBA draft after his sophomore campaign.

2017: All-ACC and NBA All-Rookie First Team

In 2017, Donovan Mitchell earned first-team all-conference honors in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) while playing college basketball for the Louisville Cardinals, later being named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team as a rookie with the Utah Jazz.

2017: NBA Draft and Utah Jazz Acquisition

In 2017, Donovan Mitchell was drafted in the first round of the NBA draft and subsequently acquired by the Utah Jazz.

February 2, 2018: Second 40-Point Game

On February 2, 2018, Donovan Mitchell recorded his second 40-point game of his rookie season against the Phoenix Suns, becoming the first rookie guard to notch two 40-point games since Allen Iverson in 1996–97.

February 5, 2018: Participated and Won the NBA Slam Dunk Contest

On February 5, 2018, Donovan Mitchell was named by the NBA as an injury replacement for Orlando Magic forward Aaron Gordon for the 2018 NBA Slam Dunk Contest and won the contest.

October 24, 2018: Season-High 38 Points

On October 24, 2018, Donovan Mitchell scored a season-high 38 points in a 100–89 win over the Houston Rockets.

2018: NBA Slam Dunk Contest Win

In 2018, Donovan Mitchell won the NBA Slam Dunk Contest.

January 25, 2019: Double-Double Against Timberwolves

On January 25, 2019, Donovan Mitchell recorded his first and only double-double of the season, with 24 points and 11 assists, in a 106–102 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves

October 23, 2019: Season Opening Performance

On October 23, 2019, Donovan Mitchell opened the 2019–20 season with a 32-point, 12-assist performance in a 105–95 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder.

January 16, 2020: Tied Career-High 46 Points

On January 16, 2020, Donovan Mitchell tied his career-high 46 points in a 138–132 overtime loss to the Pelicans.

2020: Signed Rookie Extension with Jazz

During the shortened 2020 off-season, Mitchell signed a five-year rookie extension with the Jazz, paying him at least $163 million with an incentivized maximum of $195 million.

September 1, 2022: Traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers

On September 1, 2022, Donovan Mitchell was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers.

2022: Leaves Utah Jazz

In 2022, Donovan Mitchell ended his time with the Utah Jazz.

2022: Trade to the Cavaliers

In 2022, Donovan Mitchell was traded from the Jazz to the Cavaliers.

January 2, 2023: Scores NBA season-high 71 points

On January 2, 2023, Donovan Mitchell achieved an NBA season-high, career-high, and Cavaliers-record 71 points, along with eight rebounds and 11 assists, leading to a 145–134 overtime win against the Chicago Bulls. This performance marked the highest-scoring game for an NBA player since Kobe Bryant's 81-point game in 2006. Mitchell became the seventh player in NBA history to score 70 or more points in a single game, and the first to reach this milestone with at least 10 assists.