Utah Jazz notes: Mitchell in NBA 2K spot, Jensen joining Team USA staff
By Ryan Aston
Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell enters the world of superstar pitchmen with NBA 2K19. Also — Jazz assistant coach Alex Jensen joins USA Basketball.
The Summer of Donovan Mitchell continues to heat up in Utah Jazz land.
After capturing NBPA honors as last season’s top rookie, Mitchell made headlines by crashing a fan-hosted Fourth of July BBQ in Salt Lake City, after which he headed to Las Vegas to watch the Jazz’s summer league squad. He caused a ruckus doing the latter after sporting a Karl Malone throwback jersey.
However, he’s not just spending time with teammates and repping Jazz legends while in Sin City. The Jazz star has apparently been on-set filming a big commercial as well.
That’s right — the pride of Utah has joined the ranks of superstar pitchmen. And he’s doing so in a spot promoting the release of NBA 2K19.
Mitchell first revealed that he was shooting something via Instagram.
👀
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) July 9, 2018
(Via @spidadmitchell IG) https://t.co/rywh8Nd8Jb
Later, Mitchell fired off a tweet that may or may not be related. The emojis he used fueled speculation that he would soon be getting his own signature shoe with Adidas.
Always dreamed about this when I started hooping... Mama we made it!!! 🏀 👟 👀
— Donovan Mitchell (@spidadmitchell) July 10, 2018
Whether or not a shoe is actually in play remains to be seen. However, the NBA 2K affiliation was confirmed by the Las Vegas Sun’s Mick Akers, who shared photos from the shoot via Twitter.
Here’s (Donovan Mitchell) @spidadmitchell coming out of the tunnel during today’s NBA2K19 shoot in Las Vegas at the Orleans Arena. #vegas #nba2k #utahjazz #jazz #nba pic.twitter.com/XUwvmAMUJl
— Mick Akers (@mickakers) July 10, 2018
Hanging inside of the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas, part of @utahjazz star guard @spidadmitchell’s @NBA2K shoot. #vegas #NBA2K19 #utah pic.twitter.com/TZunA3tWHi
— Mick Akers (@mickakers) July 10, 2018
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The ascent clearly continues for the former No. 13 overall pick.
Alex Jensen joining Team USA staff
Mitchell isn’t the only Jazzman making waves recently. Assistant coach Alex Jensen, who is currently directing the team’s summer league efforts in Las Vegas, is moving on up as a coach on the international hoops scene.
Per an announcement from USA Basketball, Jensen will be joining senior national team coach Gregg Popovich’s staff for the group’s upcoming minicamp, which will also be held in Vegas, later this month.
The camp will emanate from UNLV’s Mendenhall Center and will feature practices on July 26 and 27.