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 an American professional basketball player currently with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Drafted into the NBA in 2017, he played for the Utah Jazz from 2017 to 2022. He's a six-time NBA All-Star and a two-time All-NBA Team selection, marking him as one of the league's premier talents.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

2015: Jordan Brand Classic Regional Game

In 2015, Donovan Mitchell was invited to play in the regional game for the Jordan Brand Classic. He committed to the University of Louisville to play college basketball.

July 5, 2017: Signs Rookie Contract with Jazz

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

July 11, 2017: Signs Shoe Deal with Adidas and Summer League Performance

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, recording 10 points and four assists against the Denver Nuggets.

December 1, 2017: Career-High Scoring Game

On December 1, 2017, Donovan Mitchell scored a career-high 41 points in a 114–108 win over the New Orleans Pelicans. He set the Jazz scoring record for a rookie and became the first NBA rookie to score 40 points in a game since Blake Griffin in 2011. He surpassed Darrell Griffith's team-record 38 in 1981.

2017: Declares for NBA Draft

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

2017: All-Conference Honors 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. As a rookie with the Utah Jazz, he was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team.

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. He played for the Jazz from 2017 to 2022.

January 4, 2018: Western Conference Rookie of the Month

On January 4, 2018, Donovan Mitchell was named the Western Conference Rookie of the Month for December 2017.

January 15, 2018: Franchise Record for 20+ Point Games

On January 15, 2018, Donovan Mitchell surpassed Karl Malone's franchise record for most 20+ points games during a rookie season when he had his 19th 20+ point game.

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: Slam Dunk Contest Win

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

March 1, 2018: Western Conference Rookie of the Month (Third Time)

On March 1, 2018, Donovan Mitchell was named as the Western Conference Rookie of the month for the third time that season for games played in February.

May 22, 2018: NBA All-Rookie First Team Selection

On May 22, 2018, Donovan Mitchell was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team.

October 24, 2018: Season-High Scoring Game

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

2018: Slam Dunk Contest Win

In 2018, Donovan Mitchell won the Slam Dunk Contest as a rookie with the Utah Jazz.

January 25, 2019: First Double-Double of the Season

On January 25, 2019, Donovan Mitchell recorded his first 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: Ties Career-High Score

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

August 17, 2020: Playoff Scoring Record

On August 17, 2020, Donovan Mitchell scored 57 points in a 125–135 overtime loss to the Nuggets, marking the third-highest score in playoff history.

2020: Rookie Extension

During the shortened 2020 off-season, Mitchell signed a five-year rookie extension with the Jazz.

February 23, 2021: Second All-Star Selection

On February 23, 2021, Donovan Mitchell was named a Western Conference reserve for the 2021 NBA All-Star Game, marking his second consecutive All-Star selection.

February 3, 2022: Third All-Star Selection

On February 3, 2022, Donovan Mitchell was named a Western Conference reserve for the 2022 NBA All-Star Game, marking his third consecutive All-Star selection.

September 1, 2022: Trade to Cleveland Cavaliers

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

2022: Trade to Cavaliers and Postseason Appearance

In 2022, Donovan Mitchell was traded from the Jazz to the Cavaliers. He led Cleveland to the postseason for the first time since the 2017–18 season and the first without LeBron James since 1997–98. He also scored a Cavaliers record 71 points in a game that season.

2022: End of Jazz Era

In 2022, Donovan Mitchell's time with the Utah Jazz ended, as he had played for them since 2017.

January 2, 2023: Scores 71 points in win over Bulls

On January 2, 2023, Donovan Mitchell achieved an NBA season-high, career-high, and Cavaliers-record of 71 points, along with eight rebounds and 11 assists, in a 145–134 overtime victory against the Chicago Bulls. This performance marked the highest-scoring game for any 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 he was the first to reach that milestone with at least 10 assists.