Donovan Mitchell on Building His Signature Sneaker Legacy with Adidas

Donovan Mitchell, despite being selected near the end of the 2017 NBA Draft, quickly established himself as one of the biggest steals of his class. As a rookie, he averaged over 20 points per game and broke several scoring records, including tallying 171 points in his first-ever playoff series, a mark surpassed only by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Wilt Chamberlain.

Already signed with Adidas upon entering the league, Mitchell's breakout rookie season prompted the brand to reward him with a signature shoe during his second year. With seven models released, his shoe line has become one of the longest-running and most successful signature series at Adidas and in the entire NBA.

In a recent podcast episode, Mitchell reflected on the significance of having a signature shoe, describing it as a unique achievement that places him in the conversation with legends like Michael Jordan and LeBron James. He expressed feeling blessed to have multiple models, viewing it as a competitive milestone and a sign of doing something right in his career.

Mitchell has become increasingly involved in the design of his signature shoes, taking a hands-on approach with each new release. He actively seeks feedback from friends through group chats, asking about aspects like fit, style, and colorways to ensure every detail meets expectations, demonstrating his dedication to the product's development.

The full conversation between Mitchell and Rich Kleiman is available on Boardroom's YouTube channel and Yahoo Sports' podcast pages on Apple and Spotify, providing further insights into his journey and perspectives.