Donovan Mitchell Wears Special Shoes For MLK Day Game Against Pacers

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell wore a special edition colorway of his Adidas signature shoes during Utah’s game against the Indiana Pacers on Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

Mitchell sported a unique version of his D.O.N Issue #1 shoes in Utah’s game against the Pacers at Vivint Smart Home Arena on Monday, January 20.

“These are for Martin Luther King Day,” Mitchell said about the special colorway the morning of the Pacers’ game. “These are actually a tribute to the Tuskegee Airmen.”

“These are for Martin Luther King Day. These are actually a tribute to the Tuskegee Airmen. Their last flight was in 1945. I happen to wear 45. I’ll be wearing these tonight. It’s pretty special to me.” pic.twitter.com/jcmTzuWIsX

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) January 20, 2020

Mitchell’s red, white, black, and gray highlighted shoes are in honor of the Tuskegee Airmen who were African-American aviators that fought during World War II.

Tuskegee Airmen were the first African-American military pilots in the U.S. Armed Forces.

The pilots trained at the Tuskegee Army Air Field and were taught at Tuskegee University in Alabama.

Mitchell’s shoes feature his jersey number, No. 45. The number also coincides with the pilots’ last flight which took place in 1945.

“Their last flight was in 1945. I happen to wear 45,” continued Mitchell. “I’ll be wearing these tonight. It’s pretty special to me.”

Prep pic.twitter.com/R2GoF4dHrc

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) January 20, 2020

The Jazz are one of 28 NBA teams that are playing on MLK Day.

"Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter."#MLKDay pic.twitter.com/QYGswRKVaS

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) January 20, 2020

The Pacers and Jazz are scheduled to tip-off on Monday, January 20 at 7 p.m. (MDT). The game will broadcast on NBA League Pass, AT&T SportsNet, and 97.5 FM.