Donovan Mitchell had unforgettable moments in Salt Lake City. Still, he humbly believes that his contributions don’t weigh enough for his No. 45 to be hung by the Utah Jazz atop their rafters.
Mitchell told Marc J. Spears of Andscape that his five-year run as a Jazzman doesn’t deserve the highest honors from Utah, especially compared to what other franchise’s legends have accomplished.
“I don’t think I did enough,” Mitchell told Andscape. “I hold myself to a high standard. Now, other people may feel that it should. I’d be happy and forever grateful, honored and blessed for sure for that to happen. But I don’t think I’ve done enough in five years to have my jersey up there with Karl, John [Stockton], Pistol Pete and Darrell Griffith. I got a long way in my career to go to continue to be better.”
As he entered the league in 2017, Mitchell jolted the Utah fans with his extreme athleticism and offensive ability, ultimately transforming into an All-Star. He then went on to help the club to clinch five-straight postseason appearances that match his whole time with them.
While these feats are considerably short of the standard criteria of jersey induction, Mitchell will always have a special place in the hearts of the Jazz faithful no matter what.
