If Donovan Mitchell acts and plays like he’s matured and learned as a basketball player between his second and third seasons, there’s a good reason.
He has.
And one of the big reasons is because the 23-year-old is learning from his elders. That educational process has been documented in a lengthy profile feature in the Bleacher Report.
“I try and carry myself in such a way, especially in this game,” Mitchell told BR’s Jonathan Abrams. “This isn’t college, where the oldest player could be 22, 21, whatever. I picked Thabo’s (Sefolosha) brain when he was here. I picked Ricky’s (Rubio) brain. I’m picking Mike’s (Conley) brain. I’m picking Joe’s (Ingles) brain, picking Rudy’s (Gobert) brain, just so I can find ways to be better at my age than they were. Not necessarily them specifically, but if I can learn from Mike Conley, at 32, everything he knows, and Jeff Green, who played years in the league ... (and) can learn all that now, I’ll be light-years ahead of people that I’m around. It’s an advantage.”
In order to progress from a potential-filled young player into an All-Star-caliber player, Mitchell knew that evolution had to happen after a challenging second season hampered by an offseason foot injury and some early-season shooting woes.
“It was different, especially on offense, the opponent’s top defender, having to guard you. So now it’s Klay Thompson. It’s Paul George, it’s Kawhi (Leonard), it’s Patty Bev (Beverly). ... Now you’re the priority,” Mitchell said. “That’s not like they’re guarding you when you have a little hot streak. Now you’re the target. It was a little different. I got to take a step back and figure it out. The stuff that works on the other guys, it’s not going to work on those first-tier defenders. I had to get back and just slow down and just figure stuff out.”
The feature also delves into Mitchell’s incredible relationship with his mom, his advanced leadership skills at his young age, his desire to remain the same person as his bank account and fanbase grow, and his ultimate dream: an NBA championship.
“I would love to bring the state of Utah their first championship,” Mitchell said. “I think that’s one thing I’ve always wanted.”
OTHER LINKS
• Independents BYU, UConn ‘expected’ to become regular opponents (Hartford Courant)
• Utah gymnastics star MyKayla Skinner to cap big 2019 year with wedding (AZCentral)
• Thurl Bailey’s son, Brendan, on his post-mission growth at Marquette
WEEKEND PLANNER
Friday, Oct. 25
Men’s soccer: Dixie State at Adams State, 3 p.m.
Women’s soccer: Utah State vs. Air Force, 3 p.m.
Women’s soccer: SUU vs. Idaho State, 4 p.m.
Volleyball: Dixie State vs. Western Colorado, 6 p.m.
Women’s soccer: Weber State at NAU, 7 p.m.
Women’s soccer: Dixie State vs. New Mexico Highlands, 7:30 p.m.
Men’s soccer: UVU at San Jose State, 8 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 26
College football: Dixie State vs. Chadron State, 1 p.m.
Volleyball: SLCC vs. Snow, 1 p.m.
College football: SUU vs. Idaho State, 2 p.m.
Volleyball: SUU at Northern Colorado, 2 p.m.
Volleyball: Utah State at San Diego State, 3 p.m.
Volleyball: USU Eastern vs. Colorado Northwestern, 3 p.m.
College football: Weber State at UC Davis, 5 p.m.
Women’s soccer: UVU vs. Grand Canyon, 6 p.m.
Volleyball: Dixie State vs. Colorado Mesa, 6 p.m.
Women’s soccer: BYU vs. San Diego, 7 p.m.
Volleyball: Weber State at EWU, 8 p.m.
College football: Utah vs. Cal, 8 p.m.
College football: Utah State at Air Force, 8:15 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 27
Men’s soccer: Dixie State at CSU-Pueblo, noon
Women’s soccer: Utah State vs. Colorado College, 1 p.m.
Women’s soccer: Weber State at SUU, 1 p.m.
Women’s soccer: Dixie State vs. CSU-Pueblo, 1:30 p.m.
Men’s soccer: UVU at Seattle, 2 p.m.