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 prominent American professional basketball player currently with the Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA. Drafted in the first round of the 2017 NBA draft, Mitchell initially played for the Utah Jazz from 2017 to 2022. He is a six-time NBA All-Star and earned All-NBA Second Team honors in 2023, solidifying his status as one of the league's top players.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1997: Finished first time since 1997

Despite a mid-April ankle sprain against the Indiana Pacers, which would sideline Mitchell for the final sixteen games of the regular season, 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: Cleveland post-season for the first time since 1997–98

Donovan Mitchell lead Cleveland to the post-season for the first time since the 1997–98 season.

2015: Invited to Jordan Brand Classic Regional Game

In 2015, Donovan Mitchell was invited to play in the regional game for the Jordan Brand Classic.

July 5, 2017: Signed Rookie Contract with the 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

On July 11, 2017, Donovan Mitchell signed a multi-year shoe deal with Adidas.

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. He became the first NBA rookie to score 40 points in a game since Blake Griffin in 2011.

2017: Drafted in the First Round of the NBA Draft

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

2017: Declared for the 2017 NBA Draft

On the heels of his sophomore campaign, Donovan Mitchell declared for the 2017 NBA draft.

January 15, 2018: Surpassed Karl Malone's Franchise Record

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: NBA Slam Dunk Contest Winner

On February 5, 2018, Donovan Mitchell won the 2018 NBA Slam Dunk Contest, being the first rookie to win the contest since Zach LaVine.

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 All-Rookie First Team and Slam Dunk Contest Winner

In 2018, as a rookie with the Utah Jazz, Donovan Mitchell was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team and won the Slam Dunk Contest.

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

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: Opened Season with 32-Point, 12-Assist 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.

August 17, 2020: Scored 57 Points in Playoff Game

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

2020: Signed Rookie Extension with the Jazz

During the shortened 2020 off-season, Donovan 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: Played for Utah Jazz until 2022

Donovan Mitchell played for the Utah Jazz from 2017 until 2022.

2022: Traded to the Cavaliers

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

January 2, 2023: Mitchell scores 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 victory against the Chicago Bulls. This 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 game, also being the first to do so with at least 10 assists.