Donovan Mitchell Named Finalist For NBA Community Award

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell has been named as one of 10 nominees for the 2018-19 NBA Cares Community Assist Award.

This probably comes as no surprise to Jazz fans. Mitchell has quickly become a Utah favorite thanks to his community engagement and commitment to making the world a better place.

The award is intended to “recognize a player’s strong commitment to positively impacting their communities through sustained efforts over the course of the season,” according to a release from the Utah Jazz. This is the second season in a row a Jazz do-gooder has been nominated for the award. Last year it was guard, Ricky Rubio.

Smash that retweet button to VOTE for #DonovanMitchell for the #NBACommunityAssist award 🙏#TakeNote https://t.co/S2k9l8dWWf

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) April 24, 2019

Why We Love Donovan Mitchell

It would be a long list if we talked about all of the people and ways Mitchell has impacted Utah in his two-years (and hopefully many more) with the Jazz but here are a few notable contributions aside from his SPIDACARES foundation which aims to empower women and offer help with health care access and education for their families, which let’s be honest, is pretty incredible.

Most recently, Mitchell stopped to help and offer support to people who had been involved in a car accident while he was on his way to practice. Little did he know the photo posted of the act would be shared thousands of time on social media.

pic.twitter.com/ByXjxYTdfv

— Margarita Terry (@Atiragram00) April 23, 2019

He made multiple kids’ (and some adults) trip to a Jazz game something they would never forget by giving away a pair of autographed shoes before every game.

Oh and remember that time he paid for someone to get their iPhone fixed at the Apple Store because he didn’t have the money?

I have a brother that’s a little delayed in his development.

At the Apple store today he was told by a rep what he'd have to pay to have his iphone repaired. He couldn't afford it. Spida overheard and covered the cost for him. Donovan is simply the best #takenote pic.twitter.com/NIKvoRBhlM

— Andrew 🇼🇸🇬🇷 (@DeezyUte) August 2, 2018

This is not an exhaustive list, he has donated backpacks to students, spoke out in support of the McCluskey family who lost their daughter to a domestic violence shooting and committed to making the NBA and its fans a more inclusive community when it comes to racial inequality.

We have to do better… we will do better! 💯 pic.twitter.com/heBO4z66TY

— Donovan Mitchell (@spidadmitchell) March 12, 2019

Lillard Also Nominated

Former Weber State star and current Portland Trail Blazer Damian Lillard has also been nominated for his work in the Portland community. Lillard, who hit an amazing buzzer-beater to eliminate the Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday night, works extensively with several high schools in the Portland metro area through his RESPECT program, which helps build a positive culture in school and celebrates the achievements of students.

.@Dame_Lillard is nominated for the 2018-19 @nbacares Community Assist Award!

To vote for Dame, tweet #NBACommunityAssist + #DamianLillard, RTs count as votes. #RipCity pic.twitter.com/B7eBBU3Lq1

— Trail Blazers (@trailblazers) April 24, 2019

Share Your Love

Now is your chance to thank him. Social media voting for the NBA Cares Community Assist Award is open and ends on May 5 at 9:59 p.m.

You can either Tweet your vote #NBACommunityAssist and #DonovanMitchell (retweets count as votes) or @spidadmitchell, or you can click here to access the online voting system.

BTW – Today counts as double votes ☑️☑️

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) April 24, 2019

According to a press release from the Utah Jazz the winner will be chosen by an NBA executive panel and fan votes.

The award will be presented during the 2019 NBA Awards on Monday, June 24. The winner will receive $25,000 to a charity they choose. Mitchell has chosen his foundation, SPIDACARES.

Get voting!