He often reaches out to teammates and reminds them why he values their contributions. Last summer, Jaylon Tyson, a second-year guard, remembers his phone buzzing at 8 a.m. It was a text message from Mitchell. Although it was summertime, a sour feeling lingered from the series loss to the Pacers.
“Yo, I believe in you,” Donovan Mitchell wrote. “You’re gonna get opportunities here.” Mitchell told him about the ways that Tyson can help the team, and how he could maximize his potential. It shocked Tyson — the expressed belief Mitchell has in him. Tyson is averaging career highs in points, rebounds and assists this season. True to Bryant’s advice, Mitchell has been empowering him — and others. “I’m going to set a screen for you. Go be aggressive,” Mitchell often says to Tyson.
New York Times
