Louisville basketball has had elite players come through the program, but one who stands out is the Cleveland Cavaliers' star shooting guard, Donovan Mitchell. The Cavs' star guard was the Utah Jazz's 13th overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft.
Mitchell was a superstar for the Cardinals as his sophomore season stood out after he earned First-Team All-ACC honors. The Cardinal averaged 15.6 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game, while shooting 40.8 percent from the field. The former Cardinal has now jumped from an All-Star to a superstar in the NBA, and he is making Louisville basketball history as he makes that leap.
Related: Donovan Mitchell will etch his name in Louisville basketball's record books Sunday
Donovan Mitchell etches name in Louisville basketball history after prestigious honor
Mitchell was announced to the All-NBA First Team on Friday night. The Cavs' superstar put up incredible numbers all season long and guided the Cavaliers to the No. 1 seed in the East with a 64-18 record. The former Cardinal is just the second Cardinal to earn the All-NBA First Team, as Wes Unseld is the only other Cardinal alum to gain this massive recognition back in the 1968-69 season.
Mitchell already made history once this season for Louisville basketball as he played in his sixth NBA All-Star game, which set the program record for most All-Star selections by a fomer Cardinal. The elite shooting guard also holds the programs record for most former player points in the NBA with 13,320 career points scored.
His selection to the All-NBA First Team came as no surprise. He averaged 24.0 points, 5.0 assists, and 4.5 rebounds per game, shooting 44.3 percent from the floor and 36.8 percent from the 3-point line. The four other stars earning a spot on the All-NBA First Team were Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jayson Tatum, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Nikola Jokić.
Mitchell has earned All-NBA honors just once, when he was named to the All-NBA Second Team in the 2022-23 season. The former Cardinal is just the third Cavalier to earn a spot on the All-NBA First Team, joining Mark Price and LeBron James.