Just last week as Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell met with media for the first time after signing a contract extension that could see him get paid up to $195 million over the life of the deal, he made it clear that he had big plans to help people who otherwise would not be able to afford high-level educational opportunities.
“I’ve done so many different things off the floor as far as giving back, and I’m in a position now where I can do things on a higher level,” he said.
The NBA All-Star is already turning those plans into action.
On Friday, Greenwich Country Day School, a high-class private school in Connecticut where Mitchell attended and his mother Nicole taught, announced that the Mitchell family has pledged to donate $12 million for a number of initiatives.
The Mitchell Family Scholarship Fund will provide financial aid for kids to be able to attend the school, the Nicole Mitchell Family Support Fund will be given to teachers there and the D.O.N.! The Determination Over Negativity Mitchell Family Athletic Center will be built.
That name is derived from Mitchell’s D.O.N. adidas shoe line.
“Man this means so much to me!,” Mitchell tweeted Friday afternoon. “Not just building a brand new gym but giving scholarships to less fortunate kids who normally wouldn’t have the opportunity to attend private school!”
Man this means so much to me! Not just building a brand new gym but giving scholarships to less fortunate kids who normally wouldn’t have the opportunity to attend private school! https://t.co/QrfLVTOZJX
— Donovan Mitchell (@spidadmitchell) December 4, 2020
In GCDS’s announcement, head of school Adam Rhodie said of the two education initiatives, “These two funds perfectly highlight Donovan’s understanding of the power of a great education. This gift will allow GCDS to reach an even broader cross-section of students and it allows us to celebrate those teachers that make the magic at our school every day.”