Donovan Mitchell has high hopes for Utah Jazz teammate Royce O’Neale, whom he said ‘could be one of the best defenders in the league’ in the future.

O’Neale is expected to play a key role for the Jazz next season, and he could be an option for a starting position under head coach Quin Snyder.

While his offense leaves a lot to be desired, O’Neale’s impact is on the defensive end. Mitchell knows this about his teammate and gave the 26-year-old a vote of confidence.

“He’s very strong, he has great feet and balance. He doesn’t reach and he’s composed. His physicality and mentality is great. He understands what’s expected of him,” Mitchell said, per Tony Jones of The Athletic. “His preparation and instincts separate him. He could be one of the best defenders in the league, he really has those tools.”

The Jazz have the potential to become one of the best defensive teams in the league. They already have two-time Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert protecting the rim from the inside. If O’Neale can drastically improve on defense, then Utah will have a reliable wing defender that can make things difficult for guys like LeBron James, Kawhi Leonard and James Harden.

Mitchell believes that O’Neale is bound to succeed because of his hard work and commitment to becoming a better player. Hopefully, Royce can repay his teammate’s trust and be able to make a name for himself next season.