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Donovan Mitchell will participate in Team USA training camp

By Presley Meyer

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - APRIL 15: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz dunks against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the first half of Game 1 of the Western Conference playoffs at the Chesapeake Energy Arena on April 15, 2018 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. 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 J Pat Carter/Getty Images)
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - APRIL 15: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz dunks against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the first half of Game 1 of the Western Conference playoffs at the Chesapeake Energy Arena on April 15, 2018 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. 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 J Pat Carter/Getty Images) /
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Former Louisville basketball star and current Utah Jazzman will represent team USA in FIBA World Cup training camp.

Donovan Mitchell continues to become one of the coolest former Louisville Cardinals of all-time.

This time, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Mitchell will participate in Team USA’s training camp prior to the 2019 FIBA World Cup.

Mitchell, who averaged 23.8 points, 4.8 assists, and 4.7 rebounds this season just missed out on a bid to the NBA All-Star game but still led his team to a 4-seed in the Western Conference playoffs.

The former Card was drafted by the Denver Nuggets and traded to the Jazz with the 13th pick in the 2017 NBA draft, and has gone on to become one of the NBA’s rising stars.

He has drawn comparisons to players like Dwayne Wade and Gilbert Arenas, but what has captured the hearts of lots of fans is his magnetic personality off the floor.

“Spida Man” exploded onto the scene during his rookie year with his electrifying dunks, uncanny ability to get into the lane, and creativeness around the bucket. He wow-ed by winning the 2018 All-Star dunk contest as an alternate.

Away from basketball, he has one of the most likable personalities in the league. From his pre-game ritual of giving away shoes, to his lucrative contract with Adidas, to his overall candor and relationship with fans.

https://twitter.com/ESPNNBA/status/1085026689342685186

Now, Mitchell continues to add to his legacy during only his second offseason since joining the league. This invite doesn’t mean that he’s made the Team USA roster, but he will have a shot at making a squad that won the gold medal in 2014 and 2010.

Players like Damian Lillard, CJ McCollum, James Harden, and Kemba Walker will all be competing for a roster spot this September in China, making things pretty difficult for a guard trying to snag one of the final roster spots.

But with the trajectory that Mitchell is on, this invite can only be seen as a positive. He will get a chance to compete against and learn with some of the world’s best players with a chance to represent his country on one of the biggest stages. Additionally, he will get to play under some of the league’s best coaches, including head coach Greg Popovich.

Next. Counting down the best Louisville basketball teams of the last 12 years. dark

As Donovan Mitchell’s legacy continues, so does his legend. And for Louisville basketball fans, that can only be a good thing.

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