Years before All-Star Donovan Mitchell led the Cleveland Cavs to their best record in franchise history, Louisville basketball head coach Rick Pitino had eyes for the five-star recruit. The former Cardinals coach recounted the moment Mitchell committed to Louisville.
Pitino shared with the New York Knicks guards Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart how Mitchell made his final decision, per Roommates Show.
“When Donovan Mitchell came to me, and it was funny because he was down to Villanova, Indiana, and Providence. And I watched him in summer basketball, and I loved him,” Pitino said. “I thought he was a freak athlete, but he couldn’t shoot. So I called him up, he just narrowed his list down from six to three, and I said, ‘I want you to visit Louisville. I can really help you.’ Every morning, I do player development sessions.”
Pitino revealed that he had vowed to make Mitchell a better shooter, and before leaving the weekend the two spent together, Donovan announced his commitment.
“So we went through it. And on Sunday, he’s getting ready to leave with his mom. Saturday night, we have dinner at Jeff Rubie’s in Louisville. And he’s winking at his mom,” Pitino added. “He says, ‘coach where is the restroom?’ and my phone is blowing up in my pocket, but I don’t want to take it out. Finally, it won’t stop, and my kids are telling me that Donovan Mitchell just committed.
“In the bathroom, he went on Twitter and committed to Louisville. He came back and said, ‘Coach, stand up.’ I said, ‘Why?’ He said, ‘Give me a hug, I’m a Louisville Cardinal.’”
Rick Pitino vowed to ‘fix’ Cavs’ Donovan Mitchell’s shot
Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
Cavs All-Star Donovan Mitchell still supports his Louisville alma mater, which all started with coach Rick Pitino’s brutal honesty. Pitino didn’t hold back when he told Mitchell about his raw jump shot, one he vowed to develop under his tutelage.
“So I said, ‘I can really help you. Your jump shot is broken.’ And he said, ‘What do you mean my jump shot is broken?’ I said, ‘Well, I’m sure that Jay Wright and the coach of Indiana and the coach of Providence have told you that.’ He said, ‘No, nobody’s ever told me I had a broken jump shot.’ He said, ‘Coach I’m down to three schools and I just went from six to three.’ I said, ‘just visit. Watch the player development session,” Pitino said.
“I’m going to put you on the split screen with Steph Curry. I’m going to show you Steph Curry’s arch, I’m going to show you your arch.’”
Mitchell is a six-time All-Star in his fourth season with the Cavs.
