Donovan Mitchell Offers Commencement Speech At U of U

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Donovan Mitchell offered the virtual commencement speech for University of Utah graduates today.

University president Ruth Watkins announced the Utah Jazz guard would be the commencement speaker in late March due to his commitment to charity and social justice during his time in Utah.

Donovan Mitchell is a favorite of basketball fans and our community because of his commitment to excellence, education and social justice,” Watkins said on the school’s website. “He shows by example what one person can do to influence the lives of countless others and how to step forward to advocate for change with grace and goodwill.”

Tonight! @spidadmitchell will be the keynote speaker during tonight's @UUtah commencement at 7 PM MT.

ᴡᴀᴛᴄʜ ʜᴇʀᴇ » https://t.co/6mq5FZGQuc 🎓 pic.twitter.com/AATmz5DJnJ

— utahjazz (@utahjazz) May 6, 2021

In January,  Mitchell, with his mother Nicole and sister Jordan pledged $12 million to the Greenwich Country Day School providing scholarships, aid for teachers, and funding for a new athletics center for the school.

“I know how lucky I have been to have the foundation of my education happen here at Country Day,” Mitchell said. “This school has shaped who I am in so many ways, and I feel blessed to be able to give back and make the Country Day experience available for more kids especially those from inner-city neighborhoods or with backgrounds like mine.”

Graduates of the University of Utah Class of 2020 who did not have their convocations last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic were invited to attend and watch Mitchell offer the commencement speech.

Mitchell Offers Guidance To Utah Graduates

During Mitchell’s commencement speech, the guard offered graduates advice on how to approach life after college, including dealing with the pressure of growing up, social media, and finding mentorship in others as he did with new Jazz owner Dwyane Wade.

“I asked him a million questions on how to become a better player and just be a better Donovan as a whole,” Mitchell said.

The Jazz guard even told of his own struggles in high school from a wrist injury that kept him from getting bigger college offers, to his struggles in the classroom.

“It wasn’t until my junior year when I risked not being able to play basketball at the next level due to my low GPA that I realized that I had to start taking grades more seriously.”

I am delighted to announce that Utah Jazz star Donovan Mitchell will be our 2021 commencement speaker. His commitment to advancing education and social justice is exemplary and he is an inspiring role model for our students. Learn more: https://t.co/jondsIvm3a pic.twitter.com/HEu0v9MZfD

— Ruth V. Watkins (@RuthVWatkins) March 30, 2021

The guard graduated from Brewster Academy with a scholarship offer to play at Louisville where he earned First Team All ACC Academic Honors.

Mitchell also added that he plans to get his college degree despite leaving for the NBA after his sophomore year.

“You all beat me to it by getting a college degree today,” Mitchell said. “And that will definitely part of my journey to finish and complete my degree. Basketball is great, it’s provided me with life-changing experiences for myself and my family, [but] at the end of the day, the air will run out the basketball and all I will have to fall back on is my education.”

Mitchell’s speech lasted roughly 10 minutes and ended with the guard wishing the graduates well.

“When the path gets harder, imagine the entire crowd of Vivint is cheering for you. We all know that energy at Vivint beats any other arena. That is the energy of Utah. We’re all cheering for you. Congratulations.”