Jazz Mitchell Donating $200,000 To Louisville, Wants Broadcasting Job

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell is teaming with Adidas to donate $200,000 from the proceeds of his latest shoe. Sales from the “D.O.N. Issue #2 x Louisville” will go to benefit current and future Black students who attend Mitchell’s alma matter through academic initiatives and scholarships.

In an article in The Undefeated, Mitchell spoke with Marc J. Spears about his donation to his former school and his plans during and after the NBA.

“There are kids, especially in Louisville, that I know that may be able to get into school but can’t necessarily afford to go,” Mitchell told The Undefeated.

We’re proud to announce every https://t.co/Vi1gzCNhpc sale of this D.O.N. Issue #2 X Louisville Colorway goes toward education efforts that support Black students in Louisville. This truly is a shoe for change! Thank you @spidadmitchell & @angel_35!❤️🖤

🔗https://t.co/bEJdlL9KkC pic.twitter.com/ZAWsDyeJ6P

— University of Louisville (@uofl) December 17, 2020

According to the article, the $200,000 donation will go to help support the Woodford R. Porter Scholarship Program, the Muhammad Ali Scholars Program, the HSC Health and Social Justice Scholars program and an expanded emergency fund to help increase retention rates of students.

“But being that I went to school there and Louisville is like a second home to me,” Mitchell said. “I just wanted to give back and be able to allow kids to go to college to pursue their dreams.”

The Louisville women’s and men’s basketball teams will wear the custom themed shoes in upcoming games this season to help raise awareness for the donation.

Earlier this offseason, after signing a max contract extension with the Jazz, Mitchell and his family pledged a $12 million donation to the Greenwich Country Day School where the guard attended growing up.

Mitchell Wants Louisville Degree, Broadcasting Career

In addition to the donation, Mitchell discussed what he hopes his life might look like off of the floor. The All-Star guard left Louisville after his sophomore season but told his mom he’d one day earn his degree.

“I promised her that and that is something I’m still sticking to and working on doing,” Mitchell told The Undefeated. “I am keeping that promise to her to finish and get my degree and education.”

The guard said he plans to take courses online after the 2020-21 NBA season is over.

Utah Jazz star @spidadmitchell has teamed up with @adidas to support current and future Black students at @uofl by donating up to $200,000 of the sales of his “D.O.N. Issue #2 x Louisville” sneaker to fund several academic initiatives and scholarships.https://t.co/IDAE2LAG0O

— The Undefeated (@TheUndefeated) December 17, 2020

When his playing career ends, Mitchell doesn’t plan on leaving the spotlight, the guard told Spears he hopes to stay near basketball on the broadcasting side of things.

“Once I am done with playing, I want to be an analyst on ESPN, be on the TNT crew or do color commentary,” Mitchell said. “Something along those lines to keep me around sports.”

As for this season, the fourth-year guard wants to see the Jazz make a leap in the postseason, and he’s keying in on the defensive end of the floor to help carry the team.

“We have a lot of weapons,” Mitchell admitted. “For us, it’s how do we hone it in on the defensive end, not make mistakes and stay locked in. We were at a point where we were up 3-1 and the little details weren’t as important. That is where we lost the lead and the series.”

The Jazz will play their final preseason game Thursday night against the Los Angeles Clippers. Mitchell and the Jazz begin the regular season on December 23 on the road against the Portland Trail Blazers.