The J-Notes
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Utah Jazz: Donovan Mitchell beats Ben Simmons at the ESPYs

By Ryan Aston

THE 2018 ESPYS - This Wednesday, the worlds best athletes and biggest stars will join host Danica Patrick for "The 2018 ESPYS Presented by Capital One" on ABC. The star-studded evening celebrates the best moments from the year in sports and will air live on ABC, July 18 from 8:00-11:00 p.m. EDT, from the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. (Image Group LA via Getty Images)DONOVAN MITCHELL
THE 2018 ESPYS - This Wednesday, the worlds best athletes and biggest stars will join host Danica Patrick for "The 2018 ESPYS Presented by Capital One" on ABC. The star-studded evening celebrates the best moments from the year in sports and will air live on ABC, July 18 from 8:00-11:00 p.m. EDT, from the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. (Image Group LA via Getty Images)DONOVAN MITCHELL /
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Utah Jazz star Donovan Mitchell took home some more hardware for his incredible rookie campaign, capturing the Breakthrough Athlete ESPY.

It’s been nearly a month since the NBA Awards show, but Utah Jazz fans are still smarting over Donovan Mitchell losing out to Ben Simmons for Rookie of the Year honors. Regardless, a litany of hoops pundits and players actually had Mitchell as their top first-year baller.

When the NBPA announced their pick for Leader of the New School, for example, Mitchell was the guy. And on Wednesday, he added another bit of hardware to the trophy case.

At the 2018 edition of the ESPYs — ESPN’s annual awards for achievement in sports — Mitchell was officially named the Breakthrough Athlete for the year.

In other words, Mitchell beat Simmons (again) and all is right with the world. Right, Jazz Nation?

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Mitchell led the Jazz to 48 wins and a first-round playoff series victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder last season. Along the way, he averaged 20.5 points and just under four boards and four assists per game. He also captured the 2018 Slam Dunk Contest title during All-Star Weekend in February.

In addition to edging out Simmons, Mitchell was selected over Alvin Kamara of the NFL’s New Orleans Saints and tennis star Sloane Stephens.

When accepting the trophy, sporting a spiderweb-adorned black blazer, the Jazzman also known as “Spida” credited his family for helping him find success on the hardwood. “My mom and sister took 14-hour car rides from New York to Louisville,” he said. “Just to make sure my confidence was OK.”

Later, Utah’s prized guard took to Twitter to thank his teammates, as well as the Jazz organization —

Clearly, Jazz fans would have preferred to see their guy win the Association’s award for first-year players. But with the NBPA nod and now the ESPY, Mitchell has taken two out of three from the Australian wunderkind.

Not half bad for a former No. 13 overall pick or a guy with the same 2K rating as Jayson Tatum, eh?

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