GET TO KNOW 2017 NBA DRAFT PROSPECTS — Donovan Mitchell

Age: 20
Position: SG
College: Louisville

Measurables
Height w/o Shoes: 6’1.25”
Height w/ Shoes: 6’3”
Weight: 211 lbs
Wingspan: 6’10”
Standing Reach: 8’1”
Max Vertical: 40.5”
Via DraftExpress

College Statistics (Sophomore year)
MPG: 32.3
PPG: 15.6
RPG: 4.9
BLKPG: 0.5
STLPG: 2.1
APG: 2.7
FT%: 80.6%
2-PT FG%: 46.3%
3-PT FG%: 35.4%
Via Draft Express

Best Case Comparison: Avery Bradley, Norman Powell, Gary Harris

2017 Big Board Ranking
Kevin O’Connor: 11
Chad Ford: 15
Draft Express: 11
Sports Illustrated: 13
CBS Sports: 18

3 Things to Know
1. Mitchell’s success may hinge on his ability to shoot the NBA three, as he is not a natural fit as a prototypical 2 guard or has the handling ability to play the point guard.
2. His defensive ability due to explosive athleticism and length could lend him minutes as a 3 and d type player at the next level.
3. He has the ability to slash and create for others around the rim, and if he can improve his range as a shooter and ball handler, he can carve out an impactful role as a pro.

Strengths
- Elite defensive potential.
- Aggressive and very versatile
- Great rebounder from guard position
- Plays fearlessly
- Potential as a playmaker, especially in pick and roll
- Good vision and decision making
- Explosive leaper
- Lob threat as well as strong finisher both as dunker when space granted and finishes well with both hands.
- Improving shooter with NBA range.
- Tough shot maker and does well as off of the dribble jump shooter.
- Improved ball handler.
- Great change of pace.
- Very quick first step.

Weaknesses
- Lacks defensive awareness
- Struggles with defensive positioning
- Unrefined fundamentals
- Undefined position at next level
- Undersized 2 guard and not the ball handler or passer required of a point guard
- Plays recklessly.
-Forces shots at the rim.
- Does not finish through contact well
- Streaky, inconsistent shooter.
- Shoots early in the clock that aren’t necessarily smart or easy shots.


Summary
Donovan Mitchell was a talented 2 sport athlete in high school, eventually choosing basketball over baseball when he transferred to a more well-known school for basketball (Brewster Academy). After transferring to Brewster, he was noticed by Louisville coach, Rick Pitino and Mitchell became a recipient of a scholarship offer from Louisville. He attended Louisville and gradually became a bigger contributor as his freshman season went along. He averaged 7.4 points, 1.7 assists and 3.4 rebounds per game as a freshman, and the following year embraced a leading role on a very good Louisville team, averaging 15.6 points, 2.7 assists and 4.9 rebounds per game as a sophomore. Mitchell grew as a player in many areas, using his absurd athleticism to score and create, throwing down many thunderous dunks. Mitchell demonstrated a fluid stroke, shooting a solid percentage from both the free throw line and from the three point line. Mitchell said himself in an interview following NBA workouts that he would like to be a more consistent three-point shooter, as he was incredibly streaky on the season, proving he can really stroke it but still having inexplicable cold streaks. The Louisville guard could pose as a defensive specialist with his elite athleticism and length if he can improve his awareness. He projects as a late lottery to mid-first round draft pick, bringing to the team that selects him an assertive scorer with huge defensive upside, with the ability to defend both guard spots. If he were to fall, many would believe the reason to be that he doesn’t fit the mold precisely for any particular position, however his athleticism and versatility should keep him in the late lottery, projecting to help a team both immediately and in the long-term with his willingness to do what is right for the team, and unique ability to score in many facets of the game.

Draft reports compiled by Garrett Furubayashi and Leif Thulin