Donovan Mitchell Interaction With Young Jazz Fan Goes Viral
Jan 12, 2023, 1:52 PM | Updated: Jul 12, 2023, 1:21 pm
SALT LAKE CITY – Donovan Mitchell received a well-deserved warm welcome from the Utah Jazz crowd in his return to Salt Lake City on Tuesday, but none were as heartwarming as his interaction with one Jazz fan prior to the game.
The Cleveland Cavaliers superstar shared a tweet of an interaction he had with a superfan named Josh prior to Tuesday’s game.
“My guy Josh has been waiting for me at the arena every game for 5 years!!” Mitchell tweeted. “My first time seeing him since I got traded… it’s moments like these that last forever! Missed you Josh.”
My guy Josh has been waiting for me at the arena every game for 5 years!! My first time seeing him since I got traded… it’s moments like these that last forever! Missed you Josh ❤️❤️!! pic.twitter.com/Y0SQphzecP
— Donovan Mitchell (@spidadmitchell) January 11, 2023
In the video, Josh runs up to Mitchell and hugs the former Jazzman before for an extended period.
Behind the camera, a woman tells Mitchell “he just wanted a hug from you.”
After the hug, Josh turns to the camera in tears before Mitchell embraces him once again.
Mitchell posted the video at 11:20 AM on Wednesday, and by Thursday afternoon it had nearly 8,000 retweets, 120,000 likes, and had been seen by over 6.7 million users.
Jazz Fans Celebrate Mitchell’s Return
While some former Jazz players have been met with boos in their returns to Salt Lake City, Mitchell was received with seemingly unanimous praise.
The All-Star guard was swarmed with adoring fans after leaving the floor during his pregame shootaround and received loud applause during his tribute video and the announcement of the Cavaliers’ starting lineup.
“The reception was phenomenal, I am appreciative of it from everybody, the tribute was great,” Mitchell said. “It felt like it was just a typical Jazz night — back and forth, screaming yelling, it was awesome.”
View this post on Instagram
Mitchell was tremendous in his return, matching his regular season career-high in a Jazz uniform with 46.
The Cavaliers guard was the best player on the floor from the opening tip to the final buzzer leading all scorers on an efficient 14-27 shooting and a perfect 11-11 night at the free throw line.
However, it was Jordan Clarkson’s 32 points, including 15 in the fourth quarter that earned the Jazz the 116-114 victory.
