Early Life and College Career
Donovan Mitchell Jr. was born on September 7, 1996, in Elmsford, New York. He is the son of former professional baseball player Donovan Mitchell Sr. Mitchell attended Brewster Academy in New Hampshire before playing college basketball at the University of Louisville. He declared for the NBA Draft after his freshman season, where he averaged 15.6 points per game and earned AAC Freshman of the Year honors Forbes.
In the 2017 NBA Draft, the Denver Nuggets selected Mitchell 13th overall and immediately traded him to the Utah Jazz in exchange for Trey Lyles. He joined a young Jazz roster and was assigned to the Salt Lake City Stars of the NBA G League for development. Mitchell spent his first two NBA seasons refining his scoring ability and defensive instincts NBA.com.
NBA Career and Achievements
Mitchell became a full-time starter for the Jazz in the 2018-19 season and averaged 20.5 points per game. He was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team and finished fourth in Rookie of the Year voting. Over the next several seasons, Mitchell established himself as one of the league's premier scorers and a clutch performer in close games.
In 2023, Mitchell was selected as an NBA All-Star for the first time and led the league in scoring during the 2022-23 season with 31.3 points per game. He has represented the United States in international competition and has been recognized for his offensive versatility, mid-range shooting, and ability to create shots off the dribble ESPN.
Contract, Teams, and Net Worth
Mitchell signed a five-year, $195 million maximum contract extension with the Utah Jazz in 2022. He was later traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2022 as part of a package for Rudy Gobert. With the Cavaliers, Mitchell has continued to rank among the top scorers in the NBA while taking on a larger leadership role on and off the court SEC.gov.
As of the latest available reports, Donovan Mitchell's net worth is estimated at approximately $40 million, driven by his NBA salary, endorsement deals, and business ventures. He has signed partnerships with brands such as Nike and has explored investments in sports and media. Mitchell remains one of the highest-paid and most marketable young players in the league Forbes.