Donovan Mitchell Tells GQ How He Spent His First $1 Million

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – It can be difficult to imagine what $1 million would look like if it were laid out in front of you. Even if you make more than that annually, as is the case with Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell, seeing it all together in one place might be surprising.

That was the case for Mitchell who sat down with GQ Sports for their web series “How I spent my first $1 million.”

Now in his fifth season in the NBA, the Jazz guard was presented with $1 million and asked to divvy it up to show how he spent some of the money from his first contract upon entering the league.

Here's how @spidadmitchell spent his first $1 million in the NBA

Watch the @utahjazz star's full #GQMyFirstMillion: https://t.co/QxCWqpBBaW pic.twitter.com/Rx9UnFBqhu

— GQ Sports (@GQSports) October 13, 2021

How Donovan Mitchell Spent His First $1 million

Mitchell told the men’s magazine that his first major purchase upon entering the NBA was a new car for his mother, Nicole.

The All-Star guard is notoriously close with his mom and surprised her with a new $50,000 Audi while she was working.

“I actually it gave it to here at the school,” Mitchell said. “Pulled up while she was working and walked her out and she was able to get it so that was pretty special.”

No better feeling than this man! I love you Mom thank you for your sacrifice now its time for me to take care of you❤️ thanks to @AudiGreenwich @Audi for making this possible 🙏🏾 Be Humble pic.twitter.com/JegiOZ5CDP

— Donovan Mitchell (@spidadmitchell) November 17, 2017

After taking care of his mom, Mitchell made sure to spend some of his $1 million on a car for himself. The guard told GQ that he bought himself a $90,000 Porsche Panamera, a car he’d had his eye on since entering the NBA.

“When I was working out I’d seen it in LA, and I was like man that car looks dope,” Mitchell said. “I got it with all black, and red interior.”

That’s not where the car purchased ended for Mitchell, however. The Jazz star also bought a $60,000 Jeep for his sister Jordan, though, unlike Mitchell’s custom Porsche, she skipped on adding any bells and whistles.

“I offered to trick it out for her,” Mitchell said, “she was like ‘No, I want it real simple.'”

Securing A Future

Unlike some stars who spend their early fortune more frivolously, the three cars were by far Mitchell’s most lavish purchases.

After spending roughly $200,000 on the vehicles, Mitchell put the rest of his $1 million towards securing a better future for his family and for those in his community.

The guard set aside $300,000 for his sister’s education once he got into the NBA. Jordan is now a sophomore at American University in Washington, D.C. where she plays on the lacrosse team and plans to study business.

I am excited to announce the 2021 Donovan Mitchell Scholars: Jashiya and Brianna. Congratulations on your hard work and determination! Education will change both your life as well as your family lives. More information on becoming a Donovan Mitchell Scholar will be posted soon!🕷 pic.twitter.com/mj5mnl0BFr

— Donovan Mitchell (@spidadmitchell) October 1, 2021

With his final half-million, Mitchell said he made a generous down payment of $250,000 on his mother’s home and put the rest towards his SPIDACARES foundation. The charity promotes physical and mental health through grants and scholarships to students with financial needs.

While that may seem like an easy way to spend $1 million, it represents only a fraction of the guard’s earnings so far in his career. In addition to his many sponsorships, Mitchell earned over $14 million during his first four seasons with the Jazz and signed a five-year deal worth up to $195 million.