ENTREVISTA A DONOVAN MITCHELL. Jugador de los Cleveland Cavaliers en la NBA.
It’s it’s another year you’re back in Panama. Uh thank you for, you know, being here and let us letting us chat for a while. Yes, sir. Um what is what is Panama for you? Like it it seems like every time it it grows more and and people see it, people here see it. Definitely. It’s home. It’s um you know it’s somewhere that um obviously yeah I’m new to being here as my third year here but I think for me and my family it’s just like this is a celebration um obviously of my grandmother she’s first generation in America and she grew up here born here um but without this country without her being in this country um I’m not who I am today I’m not where I am today I’m not able to have the impact I have so um me coming back each year leaving that everlasting impact is something that um we hold near and dear to to us and want to continue to do and just just be here be a part of the people and also to learn uh as well. So last year there were some actions you took and you know there there was a meaningful impact in what you did seems this this year is happening again uh is that something that you’re you’re thinking you’re planning you have people on the ground saying hey we can work here we can work there. Yeah, I mean started really after after last year, like going into last year, we had we had what we planned. We gave back the court, which was awesome. And then we decided, how can we build off of that? How can we do more? Where can we do with that? Um and each year it’s going to continue to grow. Um and I think that’s what this year is going to be. I’m excited uh for what we got planned. And um for the years to come, we got many, many more things. A lot of it through education, too. I think it’ll be great. Um obviously sports is is obviously a part of that as well, but um just finding a way to, you know, inspire the youth. um teach to youth um you know not just about sports but just about life as well. Do you feel like every time you’ve you’ve done this sort of homage to the country like I remember one time you came into a game and you had the the the necklace with the flag and that was like immediately everyone here was like that’s that’s huge that’s big. Uh and sometimes these small actions really have a bigger and higher impact that you might even expect. Did it happen? Yeah. 1%. I didn’t realize it’s funny. I didn’t realize how many panameanians there were in the states. Um I I noticed just all the time people walk people walk around when I go to games and I see fans they just like I’m pan but I didn’t realize you know how many of us are are are over there and I think that was what really was like okay cool like this is to your point like there is an impact and that was just from wearing the chain and then he’s got the shoes and now you got to come in to visit like there’s so many things I’m like how can we do this at a higher level how can we um affect more people you know how can we impact excuse me more people in in in a positive way in a positive light and um really, you know, like you said, pay homage to to my to my country. Um and I think that’s something that um I look forward to on a daily basis and and and throughout the season and obviously now that I’m I’m here as well. And now speaking about the shoe, like every every kid’s dream is like to make it to the pros, like have a great college career and then but it’s obviously that part of, you know, seeing the greats wear their own shoes, their signature shoes. What does that mean to you? Like you you you’ve you’ve done that, you know? Yeah, it’s it’s um this is my seventh one and it’s special. It’s it’s something that you never take for granted no matter how much you’ve accomplished in the league. And I think for me just continuing to find ways to to add more more and more and more. What I would have never thought I’d be in this position and now that I am, I could just find ways to continue uh to build and use my platform uh for for things such as this what we’re doing now and and other um ventures that we’re doing as a as a as a as a brand. And I think that’s something that I wouldn’t have even seen coming into the league growing up. So being able to be one of those guys is truly special. What is one of those things in the process of like having your own shoe, your signature shoe that you enjoy the most? I think picking the colors to be honest. Pick picking the colors probably my my favorite part. Which ones we want to use? Which ones pay homage to um to Panama? Which ones is this my favorite baseball team? The Mets to my school where I went to school. um to my team, the Cavaliers, like you know, just so many different ones that um I get to kind of excuse me, get to kind of pick from I think is um that’s probably the most fun part for me. You you spoke about um well, I saw your shoes also where you walking in I can’t cannot leave the Louisville part away from that uh college career, you know, was it was a great couple of years for you there in a successful program. Uh but rules in college are changing like in general there’s a lot of changes going through and you know it seems that like the amateur part is evolving into something more professional giving back to the players like how do you see that impacting you know the future of the sport? Um I think it’s really good that guys are getting paid what they need what they deserve. I think now the biggest thing is just finding a way to add some structure to it. I think it definitely can get away from you pretty fast. um as great as this machine is that is paying players, it can also be used in a negative light. So, make sure making sure we find a way um to find some structure to it to where it’s not being used in a negative way or putting guys in a bad position. Making sure guys are are financially literate on these things. Making sure guys understand that they’re hiring the right people, you know, I mean, different things like that. But that just comes with time, you know? So, this is a step in the right direction. This is amazing. Um but now that we are here, how can we find ways to continue to you know add structure to this to where there things are in place um for the schools, for the players when guys are still getting paid, but there’s more of a foundation of what’s going on. And the fact that you’ve seen players now go because of the money issue go overseas and like try to create from a very young age, you know, their career, skipping the college part. Do you think that it’s going to impact the game? Yeah, I think it might impact um that part of it. Um I think guys will be in college longer. Okay. Um, you’re starting to see that now. Uh, I think the transfer portal being what it is now, I think you’re going to see a lot more hopping around um, than before. Um, which is as which is good and bad, but I think also it’s just something that, like I said, the fact that guys are getting what they deserve first and foremost that to me I think is that’s the main goal. I’m happy about that. But it definitely, like I said, once you add a little structure to it and foundation to it, but it’s definitely going to impact the game. um maybe overseas, maybe the league, like guys, not just necessarily sure. But it’s great that guys have that option to be able to say, “Okay, I’m able to make money where I’m at, where I’m home, you know, if I’m here in Panama, I would love to, you know, if I’m here and I spent all my life here, I would love to stay here as opposed to having to go somewhere else far away from my family to try to provide and create, you know, if I don’t have to.” You know what I mean? That’s that’s what um is special about that. Ju just a little mention, the women’s game has grown a lot, too. I mean, we’re we’re we’re impressed with with the Angel Reese, the Caitlyn Clarks, Cunningham’s, Brianna Stewarts, and you know, uh, it’s it’s so much growth there as well that that cannot be overlooked. I know they’re they’re going through something right now where where they’re asking, you know, for for what is right for them. Um, what do you see in the women’s game that’s also being part of I think it’s it’s there’s been talent there for so many years. I think now just the fact that we’re we’re starting to pay attention is great, but I think this is long overdue. I think the um obviously yes, Angel Reese and Clayton, Caitlin Clark are like, you know, um the social media and talent wise there talent, they’re talented in their own right, don’t get me wrong, but I think social media focusing on those two really brought the brand up. I really give those two a lot of credit from that standpoint. Um outside of just their individual game, um I think being able to see the talent, man, like Asia Wilson’s phenomen like you know, she’s she’s phenomenal. Um there’s there’s just so much talent around the league and I think I was just watching it’s funny I was watching the Diana Terasi documentary that just came out and you know you forget how much talent was in the league before you know if you if you to the main to the person who’s to the average fan they don’t necessarily remember the Maya Morris of the world like you know what I mean the Candace Parker like she’s around on TV now people now see her but they people forget Angel McCree from Louisville like there’s Cappy Pond Dexter like there’s just so much talent that’s been in WA for so long and I’m glad that, you know, they’re continuing to build and build and get what they deserve. Man, they’re they’re they’re phenomenal athletes. They’re they’re they’re they’re incredible, you know, I think. And to be able to see, you know, how much the game has grown um is awesome. Like that game against LSU with um Caitlyn and Angel, that’s huge. So out the Mavericks, that’s huge. That’s big time. That’s great for the game and that’s what’s needed. And we got a lot of talent now. Paige Buers, you got um um Serena, you got Brianna Stewart, um you got Ju Guu who’s coming up like you know I mean there’s so much talent um that that’s there. So it’s awesome. So last question uh it was a great year for the cast. Y probably the hardest part is now to be there again try to repeat that you know what what is going to be the key for that. Um continue to stick with what we do but also take another step mentally, physically. Um understand that 64 wins you don’t just fall into that. That’s hard work. That’s talent. Um, but now the 64 wins is great. We’re just trying to, you know, do something after that. Like, you know, the regular season’s going to be what it’s going to be. We’re going to handle business. Um, but when we do that, now the next step is handling it April, May, June. I appreciate it. Thank you very much. Angles.
