Category Archives: Cards in the NBA
The Barbour Shop: Donovan Mitchell Continues Showing He Is A Man Of The People
Photo Courtesy of the Utah Jazz
Donovan Mitchell is endearing himself to the people of Salt Lake City and to fans of all persuasions in the NBA. He flashes his charming grin and welcomes strangers almost as if they were family. I think it’s the only time in the history of man many people want to have a Spida as a houseguest.
Mitchell won over UofL fans in his two years here by playing hard on the court and being a man of the people off of it. Whenever he wasn’t busy with classes and practice, you might see him at a UofL baseball game or football game; sometimes alone, sometimes with a teammate or mates. And when he was there, he did not try to hide away beneath a disguise consisting of a lowered ball cap and sun glasses. He was visible and he was welcoming to any fan, young or old, that wished to shake his hand or take a photo with him.
Photo Courtesy of Andy Lyons/Getty Images North America
Cardinal Forever, Greg Minor, Reflects On His Time At UofL
Greg Minor recently sat down with Drew Stephens and discussed his time at UofL, time in the NBA, the injury and what he has been up to lately. Take a look below for the full story!
“Trusting your gut instincts is one of the more important keys to life, from my experience. Knowing what I know now, my late teens and early 20s were full of optimism and life choices that counter trusting your gut. Selecting the University of Louisville was purely trusting my gut instincts. It was the right choice looking back…”
Donovan Mitchell Named Top Rookie In Players Voice Awards
The people who know the game the best, have spoken. Donovan Mitchell was named “Leader of The New School” (aka Rookie of the Year) by his peers in this year’s Player’s Voice Awards. Now we just wait to see the media follows suit.
No Moral Victories For Donovan Mitchell
Donovan Mitchell had the rookie season most players can only dream of. While he took the league by storm and quickly became the face of the Utah Jazz, it wasn’t enough. He wanted to bring a trophy back to Salt Lake. Below, you will find an open letter he wrote to Jazz fans courtesy of the Players Tribune. As expected, it is wonderful.
Damion Lee Joins Middays With Marques Maybin
Photo: scout.com
Former UofL player, fan favorite, and current Atlanta Hawk Damion Lee joined Marques Maybin and Steve Rummage on Middays with Marques Maybin on Friday.
He discussed a myriad of topics with Marques and Steve, offering a lot of honest insight. Some of the topics discussed were his recruiting process as a grad transfer, his time at UofL, his time in the G League, his NBA call up, UofL’s future with Chris Mack, among other topics. You can listen to the entire Damion Lee interview below.
Donovan Mitchell Breaks NBA Rookie Record
Photo courtesy of Elsa/Getty Images
Donovan Mitchell continues to wow everyone with his amazing rookie year with the Utah Jazz. Tonight, he just broke a record previously owned by a talented guard by the name of Damian Lillard.
Donovan now owns the record for most made 3 pointers by a rookie at 186. He still has the potential to add to the record before the regular season concludes. Here is a video of the record-breaking shot.
Donovan Mitchell Throws Major Shade At Ben Simmons
Is it Rookie of the Year or Shade Thrower of the Year??
Donovan Mitchell and Ben Simmons are in a head to head battle for the NBA’s coveted Rookie of the Year award. And neither are going down without a fight.
It’s been the biggest NBA feud we’ve seen since Russel Westbrook and Kevin Durant. Honestly, Donovan and Ben’s feud is highly entertaining.
The two have taken shot after shot. If it were a three-point contest, Simmons would be hitting 0%.
Simmons did an interview earlier in the week in which he stated he should 100% get the Rookie of the Year award. I mean, he has a good case. But, then, Simmons threw some MAJOR shade saying nobody else is even close.
Excuse me, sir, but, there’s this dude in the Western Conference tearing it up.
Donovan Mitchell clapped back with the following tweet:
But, on Tuesday evening, Donovan threw storm cloud level shade. The TRUE rookie walked into the arena with a clear message on his hoodie.
He ain’t play. And we’re all here for it.
* insert popcorn gif here *
Edit:
How do you watch this clip and not love Donny Buckets??
Deng Adel Declares For NBA Draft
Deng Adel announced today that he has hired an agent and will remain in the NBA draft. He has endured some of the highest of highs and lowest of lows during his time at UofL, but he did it all with a smile on his face. We here at Cardinal Sports Zone wish him the best of luck as he follows his dream to be come a professional.
What Is Next For Anas Mahmoud?
Anas Mahmoud recently sat down with KingFut, a website that covers Egyptian athletes from all over the world. Malek Shafel and Anas talked about everything from when he started playing basketball, how the recruiting process went and what is next for him. Anas did say that he plans on giving his best effort to the draft process this summer and he has signed with Leon Rose from CAA as his agent. His main goal still remains to graduate in May. We here at Cardinal Sports Zone, wish Anas the best of luck in the draft process!
Ray Spalding Will Hire Agent And Remain In NBA Draft
UofL Junior F Ray Spalding announced via his Instagram account that he will hire an agent and remain in the NBA Draft.
The Trinity High School product had a productive 3 years at his hometown university with his best year being this year. Spalding averaged 12.3 points a game and led the team in rebounding averaging 8.7 a game this season. He earned 2018 All-ACC Honorable Mention Team.
Donovan Mitchell Intends To Get His Degree From UofL
Photo Courtesy of Elsa Garrison/Getty Images
Despite taking the NBA by storm, being a Rookie of the Year candidate, and winning the Slam Dunk Contest, Donovan Mitchell still intends on finishing his degree at UofL.
Kyle Goon of the Salt Lake Tribune, wrote a feature article about Donovan and how his mother made sure that, in spite of his dislike for academics, he would get a great education.
The Bond Between Darrell Griffith And Donovan Mitchell Goes Beyond Basketball
The day before the NBA Dunk Contest, the Utah Jazz called and offered to pay for Darrell Griffith to come out and watch. While Dr. Dunkenstein couldn’t accept because it was so short notice, he was shocked to see that Donovan Mitchell was wearing his jersey during the contest. It made his evening. Marc Spears with The Undefeated sat down with Darrell Griffith and Donovan Mitchell to talk about their bond and when it all started.
Donovan Mitchell Graces The Cover Of SLAM Magazine
Donovan Mitchell continues to shine in the NBA. He is currently on the cover of SLAM Magazine and he looks mighty comfortable in the spotlight. He talks in the interview with Adam Figman that he knows that all of this can be taken from him in a flash, so he is not letting it get to his head. All Donovan wants is for his Utah Jazz to make it to the playoffs.
Hibernation Thoughts: Sorry
I should start with that…sorry to anyone who likes my writing (might be two of you) or anyone who has missed it or wanted me to say more and I did not (probably the same two people…if not one of them).
I have had a LOT to say and most of it probably would not have been received in the manner you go to sports blogs to get. I have honestly been mad. Mad at the circumstances, mad at our local media, mad at ‘fans’ and boards of trustees, just mad.
The unfairness with which the Louisville situation has been handled is mind-numbing and staying silent has been hard, but easier than saying regrettable things. Not regrettable in the sense that I would say something bad but in the sense that the comments that would follow would not always be idea.
Donovan Mitchell Inspiring UofL Fans And Former Teammates With Electric Rookie Season
Photo Courtesy of UofL Basketball Twitter Account (@LouisvilleMBB)
UofL has endured losing a banner and a coach. It has endured a tumultuous season with arguably more downs than ups. Even though he no longer wears a UofL uniform, Donovan Mitchell has provided the university and the city with a little light in a sea of darkness.
Journalist Eric Woodyard traveled to Louisville to see the unique connection Donovan Mitchell has to his college town. He talked with UofL students, UofL fans, and current players Ryan McMahon and Deng Adel to see what impact Donovan’s electric rookie year has had on them.
Past Meets Present: Darrell Griffith Presents Donovan Mitchell With The Slam Dunk Trophy (Video)
Photo Courtesy of Associated Press and deseretnews.com
Tonight in Salt Lake City, UT past and present came together as Cards and Jazz Legend Darrell Griffith presented former Card and current Jazz player Donovan Mitchell with his Slam Dunk Championship trophy.
It was an awesome sight to behold for any UofL fan; arguably the greatest player in UofL history and a man whose number hangs in the rafters of the Jazz’s arena, giving love to a former UofL star and a man whose number may one day hang with his.
After the week we UofL fans have had, we deserve this kind of sentimental and wonderful thing. It’s awesome to see two men who are L1C4 to the core get to share a special moment together in a place where one is a legend and one is working on becoming one.
Donovan Mitchell Wearing Special Kicks In Support Of 2013 Title Team
Photo Courtesy of Sports Illustrated’s Twitter Account (@SInow)
When news broke Tuesday that UofL Men’s Basketball was being stripped of its 2013 National Championship, Donovan Mitchell was as upset as all UofL fans. On Wednesday, he announced he was going to wear special UofL themed sneakers in his game tonight for the Utah Jazz. We now have photographic confirmation he is wearing the shoes.
Notice that Donovan added the names of every single player from the 2013 title team on the side of the shoes. He also added the number “2013” on the back left shoe and the word “Champs” on the back of the right shoe. And boy are they some sweet looking kicks.
Donovan wanted to pay homage to a special group of players, to his former coach, to his alma mater, and to all of the UofL fans. Donovan is a star in the making in the NBA. It’s awesome to know that no matter what he’s always L1C4.
Donovan Mitchell Is The Slam Dunk Champ Baby
Photo Courtesy of Louisville Basketball Twitter Account (@LouisvilleMBB)
Donovan Mitchell is arguably the hottest rookie in the NBA right now. He’s won multiple NBA Western Conference Rookie of the Month awards, played well in the Rising Stars game, is leading all rookies in scoring, and is battling out Ben Simmons for Rookie of the Year.
You can now add NBA Slam Dunk Champion to his ever-growing list of accolades.
(Click on more for the rest of the story)
Donovan Mitchell Named To 2018 Rising Stars Team
Donovan Mitchell has been selected to participate in the 2018 Mt. Dew Kickstart Rising Stars Challenge for Team USA.
The game pits 10 first or second year players from the US against 10 first or second year players from around the world.
The game will air on TNT as a part of NBA All Star Weekend on February 16th at 9PM EST (7PM MT).
Cards in the NBA: December 22nd
Welcome back everyone, to your weekly look at how our former Cards are faring in the NBA! (Spoiler alert, it’s pretty dang good!) Let’s get into it!
*All stats are accurate for games played through December 21st.
Gorgui Dieng (Minnesota Timberwolves)
MPG (Minutes Per Game): 17.7
PPG (Points Per Game): 6.1
APG (Assists Per Game): 1.2
RPG (Rebounds Per Game): 4.8
SPG (Steals Per Game): 0.8
BPG (Blocks Per Game): 0.2
TPG (Turnovers Per Game): 1.0
FG%: 48.6
3P%: 20.0
FT%: 74.4
