UTAH JAZZ
Donovan Mitchell Thanks Jazz Fans In Special Message
Sep 2, 2022, 4:42 PM | Updated: 4:43 pm
Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz celebrates the Jazz win at the end of Game Six of Round One of the 2018 NBA Playoffs against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Vivint Smart Home Arena on April 27, 2018 in Salt Lake City, Utah. The Jazz beat the Thunder 96-91 to advance to the second round of the NBA Playoffs. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images)
(Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY – Donovan Mitchell thanked Utah Jazz fans on his Instagram page one day after it was announced the team was trading him to the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The three-time All-Star began his career in Utah and quickly developed into one of the most dynamic players in franchise history.
“Thank you for the memories and the incredible times…” Mitchell wrote. “You guys watched me grow up on and off the floor.”
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The post had a photo of Mitchell in his signature number 45 jersey and a video from his rookie season as he walked off the court after the Jazz upset the Oklahoma City Thunder in the postseason during his rookie year.
Mitchell also thanked former Jazz coach Quin Snyder in the post.
“Coach Quin thank you for giving me the opportunity and trusting me to lead this team for the past 5 years‼️” Mitchell wrote. “Love.”
Snyder was the only coach Mitchell played for during his first five seasons in the NBA and helped the guard grow from a late lottery pick to one of the premier scorers in the NBA.
The coach resigned from his duties with the Jazz on June 5 as the franchise shifted its sights towards a rebuild.
Mitchell’s Time In Utah
Mitchell spent five seasons with the Jazz. He appeared in 345 games with 337 starts, averaging 23.9 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per contest, while shooting 44% from the field and 36% from the three-point line.
The Louisville product increased his scoring average in each of the first three seasons. During the 2020-21 campaign, Mitchell averaged 26.4 points per contest before going down to 25.9 this past season.
Donovan Mitchell will be difficult to replace on the floor for the @utahjazz.
But his impact on the Utah community will be felt long after he retires from the game of basketball. #TakeNote https://t.co/GPqYTza2mg
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) September 1, 2022
Mitchell helped the Jazz reach the playoffs in each of his five seasons with the organization. He played 39 games, posting averages of 28.3 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 4.7 assists while shooting 43% from the floor and 36% from downtown.
During the postseason, Mitchell scored 30 points or more in 19 games, 40 points or more in four games, and 50 points or more twice. He dropped 57 points in the bubble in Game 1 against the Nuggets and 51 points in Game 4 of the same series.
