Even Utah Jazz players Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell were starstruck as first-time selections for the NBA All-Star Weekend.
“I’m not Donovan Mitchell from the Utah Jazz right now; I’m Donovan Mitchell, 13-year-old,” he said as he spoke with reporters the day before making his All-Star debut. “I’m going to keep having those moments because everybody doesn’t get to do this. There are only, what, 24 of us?” Rudy and Donovan were all smiles in Chicago, whether participating in an NBA2K event, helping out a local food pantry and basketball clinic, chatting with NBA legends, sitting courtside at the league’s celebrity game, or working on TNT’s broadcast of the Rising Stars Challenge.
“It’s amazing,” Rudy said. “I’m very excited to be here, very excited to represent my team with Donovan, and represent my country. After seven years, to be able to get to my first All-Star Game means a lot.”
Rudy and Donovan played together for Team Giannis, which dropped a tense 157-155 decision to Team LeBron. Rudy put on a show in his first All-Star Game, finishing with 21 points, 11 rebounds, and two assists. Donovan acquitted himself well on the court, too, totaling seven points, five rebounds, and four assists.
“For me and Rudy to get here and put on for Utah is really special,” Donovan said. “We’re overlooked in a lot of things, so for us to be out here and make a name for ourselves is pretty cool.”