Every NBA draft prospect fantasizes about playing inside Staples Center or Madison Square Garden, but Louisville guard Donovan Mitchell wanted to play in Salt Lake City.
Mitchell, who the Jazz acquired with the 13th pick in a draft-day trade that sent Trey Lyles and Tyler Lydon (the 24th pick) to the Denver Nuggets, arrived in Salt Lake City Tuesday afternoon.
The giddiness Mitchell showed during his predraft workout with the Jazz hasn’t disappeared now that he’s a member of the team.
Mitchell documented his arrival to Salt Lake City on social media, first tweeting an image of him and his mother driving to Utah.
About eight hours later, Mitchell tweeted his arrival to Salt Lake City, calling it “home.”
Former University of North Carolina big man Tony Bradley, who the Jazz also acquired in a trade from the Los Angeles Lakers, also arrived in Salt Lake City Tuesday.
Bradley flew into Salt Lake City International Airport and was met by Jazz CEO Greg Miller, son of former Jazz owner Larry H. Miller.
All three Jazz rookies — Mitchell, Bradley and former Gonzaga guard Nigel Williams-Goss, who Utah took with the 55th pick — will share time at Smith’s Ballpark Wednesday.
The three will be throwing first pitches and will be available for autographs.