One year ago, Donovan Mitchell killed his workout with the Utah Jazz

Donovan Mitchell’s meteoric rise with the Utah Jazz began one year ago with a pre-draft workout that sent shockwaves through the organization.

“I just wanted to work out with the Jazz. I love the organization.”

That’s what Donovan Mitchell told reporters one year ago this weekend — on May 27, 2017 — when he had his first pre-draft workout. Ultimately, it was the audition that convinced the Utah Jazz to bring him into the fold on draft night.

Mitchell went on to have one of the most successful rookie campaigns in the history of the Association. That’s not blowing smoke either — he was the first rookie to log 1500 total points and 100 steals since LeBron James, the first to lead a playoff team in scoring since Carmelo Anthony and he set a new rookie record for 3-pointers made.

I could go on and on, too. If you really want to dig in to how special his season was, you’ll find statistical categories that group him with guys like Michael Jordan and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

But even during his first trip to the 801, you knew there was something different about him.

At the time of his workout, there really wasn’t even a great reason for him to be in Utah. His draft stock had suddenly ballooned to the point where some saw him going in the top 10 of the draft. That was well outside of Utah’s range, but there he was…doing his thing on the hardwood for Jazz brass to cover his bases and because he loved the organization.

He did it so well, apparently, that Jazz GM Dennis Lindsey essentially threatened to fire anyone who talked about what they saw. Seriously: Jazz radio commentator David Locke had this to say about Mitchell’s workout, via The Washington Post’s Tim Bontemps —

"“One of the guys [Lindsey] works with came over and literally was like, ‘Dennis wants to make it clear, if any word about this workout gets out, you’re fired. Everyone. You’re fired.’”"

12 months later, Lindsey’s staff remains intact and the Jazz have a legitimate franchise player locked in. Somehow, the Jazz won the lottery without winning the actual lottery (or even having a pick in the lottery). Crazy how things work out, huh?

Now, the Jazz are conducting their pre-draft workouts once again. This time in preparation for the 2018 NBA Draft.

Mitchell’s story gives one hope that they could reveal something special.

In fact, according to Tony Jones of the Salt Lake Tribune, Monday’s slate of workouts could very well lead to them finding such a player. The Jazz have remained optimistic about finding an impact player at No. 21 in the draft and the guy they ultimately go with could very well be in Salt Lake City for the upcoming workout.

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The next great Jazzman may be out there, even as the team sits outside the range where the best ballers are expected to be snatched up.

Mitchell is living proof of the possibility.