Overview
- Pitino said he phoned the Knicks before the 2017 draft to advocate for his Louisville guard, telling them Mitchell would excel.
- According to Pitino, the team replied it could not select Mitchell that high and instead chose Frank Ntilikina with the eighth pick.
- Mitchell slipped to No. 13 with the Jazz and has since become a six-time All-Star and two-time All-NBA selection, now starring for the Cavaliers.
- Ntilikina posted modest NBA numbers over seven seasons before departing the league in 2024 to continue his career in Europe.
- Pitino, who coached Mitchell at Louisville and helped refine his jumper, shared the story on the Roommates Show hosted by Knicks players Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart, noting Phil Jackson led the Knicks during that draft.