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Donovan Mitchell was the star of the Utah Jazz in NBA Summer League

By Max Holm

NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 22: Donovan Mitchell walks to stage after being drafted 13th overall by the Denver Nuggetsduring the first round of the 2017 NBA Draft at Barclays Center on June 22, 2017 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 22: Donovan Mitchell walks to stage after being drafted 13th overall by the Denver Nuggetsduring the first round of the 2017 NBA Draft at Barclays Center on June 22, 2017 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) /
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The Utah Jazz’s decision to move up to select Donovan Mitchell with the 13th pick in the 2017 NBA Draft looks great after his summer league performance.

It’s not up for debate. Donovan Mitchell won the Utah Summer League in every way possible. First and foremost, he and the Utah Jazz went 3-0 in Utah to win the summer festivity. While it doesn’t hold the same merit as, say, starting the NBA season undefeated through three games, it showed that Mitchell could step in right away and contribute to a winning team.

Mitchell, though probably not his main focus, surely wanted to prove some teams wrong this week. Going 13th overall in a loaded lottery is nothing to be ashamed of, but that’s what makes Mitchell, Mitchell. He’s a fiery baller who loves to defend and brings intensity on a nightly basis.

Over the course of three games, he went up against some great talent between the Boston Celtics, San Antonio Spurs and Philadelphia 76ers.

He posted 23 points, five assists and three steals in his debut against the Spurs. Mitchell followed that up with 15 points, four assists, three steals and a block against the Sixers. Then despite a poor shooting night against the Celtics, he still racked up four steals. Within those matchups, he faced — and even got some time defending — Markelle Fultz and Jayson Tatum.

Even though he didn’t get that much time on Fultz, who was mostly guarded by Mitchell’s backcourt mate, Dante Exum, he did get a chance to go after Tatum. He went toe-to-toe with the No. 3 overall pick, which led to perhaps the greatest sequence of Summer League.

Mitchell takes no prisoners in Utah

This came late in the Jazz’s game against the Celtics. Here we saw Mitchell’s ability to guard 1-3 in the NBA. With what came next, we saw the intangibles of a player who will have no fear starting the second he steps on an NBA court.

He did that on the very next play! That might be one of the greatest Summer League plays in recent memory. It felt like an NBA Street game, not to mention, in addition to his ability to add “ankle breaker” to his resume, how he showed off his underrated passing ability.

And the thing is, these weren’t even his only highlights from Summer League.

https://twitter.com/TheFuzzNBA/status/882787625043607552

That is just an absurd pass that might only be possible because of his 6’10” wingspan. Get ready for plenty of steals, fast breaks and dunks from Mitchell and the Jazz next season. He also showed off the clutch gene against the Sixers.

https://twitter.com/LiveFeedLville/status/882798156232130560

There’s probably three or four more tremendous plays from Mitchell, but you get the idea. The Utah Jazz got an absolute steal with the former Louisville Cardinal.

Next: 2017 NBA free agency tracker - Grades for every deal so far

Getting such a promising rookie is certainly good news for a franchise that just lost Gordon Hayward.