Jazz select Duke’s Grayson Allen No. 21 overall, earning Donovan Mitchell’s approval
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Donovan Mitchell drove past cameras and onto the set where the one-time Duke star was fielding questions after he was drafted. Then he pulled Allen in for a hug.
“[The Jazz] can do so many things as you saw this season,” said Mitchell, voice hoarse. “Adding a guy like [Allen], you know, he’s an elite scorer, great defender, plays unselfish — man, we got a good one in him.”
The former ACC competitors are about to be teammates. And the Utah Jazz hope the 22-year-old guard can be a helpful addition to a team that is looking for its third straight playoff berth next season.
Allen was the pick at No. 21, earning the nod from the Jazz after reportedly dominating a workout earlier this month with fellow prospects Aaron Holiday, Jalen Brunson and Khyri Thomas. He also reportedly wooed Utah with maturity and character, helping assuage doubts about those traits after several ugly tripping incidents during his college career.
While Allen is one of the best-known villains coming out of college basketball, he said he doesn’t think it will take long for him to change hearts and minds in the Jazz fanbase.
“When fans see me night in and night out on the court, and the love that I have for the game, the passion that I have for the game, and how much I want to represent the Utah Jazz, the team I play for, in a great way, and how much love I have for the team, it’ll happen right…