Donovan Mitchell and adidas officially announced the D.O.N Issue #1 which will be released to the masses in time for the 2019 NBA Playoffs.

Donovan Mitchell came into the league and immediately found success. The rookie out of Louisville not only made the NBA All-Rookie First Team, Mitchell won the NBA Slam Dunk Contest.

Averaging over 20 points a game and leading the Utah Jazz to the playoffs was a great accomplishment. His playoff debut series performance put Mitchell and the Jazz in the spotlight. Mitchell put up over 28 points a game in the first round series win over the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Now the Utah Jazz guard will lead the Jazz in his style, in more ways than one. Adidas found a gem in Mitchell, and immediately gave him a raise and after much buildup his own shoe after his sterling rookie campaign. Mitchell has named his signature sneaker the D.O.N. Issue #1, with the initials standing for Determination Over Negativity.

Mitchell and adidas held a unique press conference to unveil the D.O.N Issue #1. Mitchell went to his alma mater, Greenwich Country Day School in Connecticut, and had two students interview him for the occasion. These fresh approaches that provide students opportunities are just one of many ways Mitchell and adidas seek to promote positive outlets.

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Rory Ashmeade and Blaise New were the students asking the tough questions to Mitchell at the ceremonies. The questions did allow for plenty of elaboration from Mitchell, which is all any sportswriter of any tenure can ask for. The full interview from Ashmeade and New can be found on the adidas D.O.N. Issue #1 launch site. However, one question in particular let Mitchell shape his narrative around his sneaker.

Rory Ashmeade: This product is really cool.. and I was wondering, what kind of message do you want to send with your shoe? DM: “My message with this shoe is that it’s for kids not only your age, but younger than you guys, older than you guys, just [for those who] believe that they can do anything. I want my story to be told as such – this was so unexpected for me. You know, it’s only my second year in the NBA, to now have a shoe… I want to help inspire kids so they feel like they can do anything. You don’t have to be the number one recruit, you don’t even have to be a basketball player. I just want this to send a positive message to make kids feel inspired that they can be what they want to be.”

According to many reports, Mitchell’s shoe will be priced lower than most signature lines. Mitchell address this in during the event, saying:

“Well, I think the accessibility will be a lot different. We obviously have the Hardens, the Dames and others, but for me, I wanted the shoe to be accessible to all people, both price-wise and color-wise, and I wanted everything to be relatable to the everyday person that can’t spend $250 on shoes. I wanted to work with adidas to find ways to make sure the shoe was accessible to everybody who wants to wear them.”

Mitchell’s feels his collaboration with adidas will allow him to “address things that I feel need to be heard, because there’s certain people that may not have that opportunity to publicize their story, it may not get out.”

Adidas is wanting to help get those messages out. Rashad Williams, adidas’ senior director of basketball footwear supported Mitchell’s message, saying “We just really wanted to back and support our guy. Let’s put it out there. We think he deserves it.”