The Utah Jazz have a superstar on their hands in Donovan Mitchell. However, when Mitchell was younger, he probably didn’t imagine playing for Utah.
That’s because the two-time All-Star was actually a Miami Heat fan growing up.
Interestingly, Mitchell does get to work with a Heat legend over in Utah. Dwyane Wade, who won three NBA titles with the Heat, has an ownership stake in the Jazz organization.
Mitchell spoke about Wade and the Heat, revealing how they impacted him when he was younger.
“I was definitely a Heat fan growing up,” Mitchell said. “I remember when him and LeBron [James] were playing the [Indiana] Pacers in a playoff series. And I just remember how they manipulated the game in the fourth quarter and overtime. I remember … how much he impacted my life and my career growing up.
“We just witnessed greatness when he was playing. He’s been a big influence on me in a number of ways.”
Mitchell is working on a stellar career at the NBA level. The 25-year-old is currently in his fifth season, and he’s looking to be named an All-Star for the third consecutive campaign.
This season, the youngster is averaging 25.9 points, 3.8 rebounds and 5.2 assists per game. He’s shooting 45.4 percent from the field and 34.7 percent from beyond the arc.
The Jazz are off to an impressive start this season, and Mitchell has had a lot to do with that. So far, Utah is 28-13, which is the third-best record in the Western Conference.
The Jazz are still trying to capture their first NBA title in franchise history.
