Best Off-Court Moments From 2018-19 Jazz Season: No. 11-20
May 2, 2019, 3:14 PM | Updated: May 9, 2019, 5:32 pm
(Kristin Murphy, Deseret News)
(Kristin Murphy, Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The 2018-19 Utah Jazz season has concluded. There has been many memorable moments on the court this season, but so many off the hardwood as well.
KSL Sports has gone through the season and put together a Top 20 list of off-court moments.
This begins a four-part series looking back on the Utah Jazz season that saw them win 50 games.
The Jazz Notes podcast discussed some of the moments.
Here are the 11 through 20 best off-court moments, plus honorable mentions.
Honorable Mentions
Mitchell Christmas Day Commercial
It was the first time since 1997 that the Jazz would play on Christmas Day. They face the Portland Trail Blazers at Vivint Smart Home Arena.
On the ESPN promotional spot featuring all five games, Mitchell was the representative of the Jazz. He had his body outlined in Christmas lights guarding former Weber State and current Portland Trail Blazers star Damian Lillard.
Green with envy 💚❇️💚
Our Earned Edition jerseys will debut 12.25.
🔗 https://t.co/bmLhyp1El8 pic.twitter.com/p33QnBqEMt
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) December 12, 2018
Mitchell Announces Signature Shoe
The second year star for the Jazz solidified his rapid rise to stardom in December, when he and Adidas announced that Mitchell will have his own signature sure. Mitchell wore the D.O.N. Issue 1 during the first round playoff series against the Houston Rockets.
The shoe will be available for public purchase in the summer.
Determination. Over. Negativity.
Introducing Donovan Mitchell's first signature shoe, D.O.N. Issue #1 🕷@spidadmitchell #teamadidas pic.twitter.com/bI1UnfoSmR
— adidas Basketball (@adidasHoops) December 27, 2018
Donovan Mitchell Bobblehead
In just his second season in the NBA, Donovan Mitchell can say that he has his own bobblehead. The Utah Jazz teamed up with their G-League affiliate the Salt Lake City Stars that gave fans who purchased tickets to the Stars game on March 1, would receive a Mitchell Bobblehead.
The bobblehead was centered around Mitchell’s Slam Dunk Contest title attire with him wearing Jazz legend Darrell Griffith’s jersey and holding the dunk contest trophy.
That Stars game had a sell-out crowd.
"It's a pretty memorable moment for me so to have this, this is awesome."
WATCH as @spidadmitchell gets a first look at his exclusive bobblehead. Get yours today with a ticket package for @UtahJazz Night at the Stars presented by @UofUHealth! 🕷🕸
➡️ https://t.co/iU85M4UeXf pic.twitter.com/Uu24B5K5vp— Salt Lake City Stars (@slcstars) January 25, 2019
- Donovan Mitchell Bobblehead Available Soon For Jazz Fans
- Stars Sell Out Game After Offering Donovan Mitchell Bobblehead
20. Mitchell Gets Jury Duty
Everyone has the chance to do their civic duty, that apparently included Donovan Mitchell as he received a juror qualification form in the mail from the Utah State Courts saying that he could potentially be called for Jury Duty from January 7 to February 1.
The Utah Jazz General Counsel sent an email to the Courts excusing him from getting called to a jury.
Sorry, @UtahGov. Donovan is a little busy right now. Please try again in July. pic.twitter.com/p3SQBXMNnU
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) December 6, 2018
19. Jazz Unveil Throwback Jersey
As the season was ramping up for the Jazz, they used point guard Ricky Rubio to announce the new throwback jersey that the team would wear during the regular season.
The Jazz went back to the 80’s look, sporting the Jazz note on the uniform.
🔥🔥🔥🤙🏼 Throwback pic.twitter.com/yUdQN7CU5q
— Ricky Rubio (@rickyrubio9) September 19, 2018
18. Mitchell Suprises Kearns High Students
Back in August, two months before his second NBA season, Donovan Mitchell surprised the students at Kearns High School to recognize them for high achievement. He gave students that were nominated by teachers a gift.
17. Grayson Allen Attends RSL Match
The Utah Jazz rookie was in attendance for Real Salt Lake’s playoff match at home against Sporting Kansas City. Allen was spotted in the stands, sporting an RSL jersey. After the 1-1 draw, Allen caught up with KSL Sports’ Spencer Linton.
Allen is dating Morgan Reid, who plays for the North Carolina Courage of the National Women’s Soccer League.
16. Gobert Missed Cancelled Shootaround Memo
Back in January on one of the big snow days of the season in Utah that had many roads closed, the Jazz cancelled shootaround ahead of their game against the Portland Trail Blazers.
Rudy Gobert didn’t receive the message of the cancelled shootaround and showed up at the Jazz practice facility.
15. Mitchell Helps At Car Crash Scene
As he was on his way home from practice, Donovan Mitchell stopped at the scene of a car accident in downtown Salt Lake City. He stopped when he saw a women fall out of her vehicle after the airbags deployed.
He called 911 and stayed with the people involved in the accident until the police arrived. This happened during the Playoffs.
— Margarita Terry (@Atiragram00) April 23, 2019
Donovan Mitchell Noted For Help At Crash Scene After Practice
14. Jazz Bear Catches Bat
In January, the Utah Jazz were set to face the Minnesota Timberwolves at home when a bat was seen flying around Vivint Smart Home Arena about 40 minutes away from tip-off.
After several attempts from the arena staff to catch the bat, the Jazz bear was given a net and snatched the bat.
🐻 vs. 🦇 pic.twitter.com/0xFYmy34M9
— Jazz Bear (@utahjazzbear) January 26, 2019
13. Mitchell Presents $25k Scholarship After Game
On the road in March, the Utah Jazz were just defeated by the Atlanta Hawks when Donovan Mitchell presented a $25,000 check to Naja Brooks, the daughter of his fourth grade teacher. The scholarship was given in partnership with Mitchell’s foundation, SPIDACARES as well as Foot Locker and Adidas.
After the Jazz-Hawks game, Donovan Mitchell has gifted, Naja Brooks, the daughter of his 4th grade teacher, Deborah Peart, with a $25,000 scholarship through his SPIDACARES Foundation in partnership with @adidasHoops and @footlocker. They also received $500 and courtside seats. pic.twitter.com/k0o7Bv2Myg
— Eric Woodyard (@E_Woodyard) March 22, 2019
12. Michelle Obama Shouts Out Ekpe Udoh’s Book Club
On April, 1, Utah Jazz center Ekpe Udoh received a Tweet from former First Lady Michelle Obama, giving him a shout out for his book club.
Udoh’s book club ended a group meeting, discussing the last latest book from Obama “Becoming.”
So excited that you’ll be reading my memoir, @EkpeUdoh—can’t wait to hear what you all discuss! #IAmBecoming #EkpesBookClub https://t.co/KvtM5BxhmW
— Michelle Obama (@MichelleObama) April 1, 2019
11. Rubio Social Media Trade Deadline Fun
During the last hour before the NBA Trade Deadline, Utah Jazz guard Ricky Rubio, who was linked to multiple reports of being traded, had some fun on social media.
At the time, Rubio was the main piece that was rumored to the Memphis Grizzlies in exchange for Mike Conley.
… Joe Ingles had two coffees this am league source tell Ricky 🤪
— Ricky Rubio (@rickyrubio9) February 7, 2019
… so far, my code to get in to the practice facility worked. pic.twitter.com/CCCFQzZ5rN
— Ricky Rubio (@rickyrubio9) February 7, 2019
… 1h left, If I turn my phone on airplane mode, does it count?
— Ricky Rubio (@rickyrubio9) February 7, 2019
Check out the other three parts of the series when they are released.
