Utah Jazz take Louisville’s Donovan Mitchell after draft-night trade involving former UK star
The Utah Jazz chose former University of Louisville shooting guard Donovan Mitchell with the 13th overall pick in the NBA Draft on Thursday night in Brooklyn, N.Y.
Denver, which owned the No. 13 pick coming into the night, selected Mitchell on Utah’s behalf. The teams agreed to a trade earlier in the night that sent the 13th pick to Utah in exchange for former University of Kentucky star Trey Lyles and the 24th overall pick. The trade had not yet been confirmed by the NBA.
Mitchell averaged 15.6 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 2.1 steals as a sophomore with the Cardinals. He shot 46.3 percent from the field, 35.4 percent from three-point range and 80.6 percent from the free-throw line.
“His elite athleticism, length and game give him a passing resemblance to a young Dwyane Wade,” ESPN analyst Chad Ford said of Mitchell ahead of the draft. “I don't think he has that same ceiling, but his talent is definitely worth (a pick at the end of the lottery or soon after).
Mitchell is the seventh first-round selection out of Louisville, and 12th overall, under head coach Rick Pitino.
Dennis Varney: 859-231-3514, @ExCats
This story was originally published June 22, 2017 at 9:15 PM with the headline "Utah Jazz take Louisville’s Donovan Mitchell after draft-night trade involving former UK star."