Forget communication classes or long lectures on financial education. The subject NBA players want to learn about today is wine!
There are countless examples of NBA players who have invested in the vineyard, such as Carmelo Anthony, LeBron James, Tony Parker or CJ McCollum. Recently, it was Jimmy Butler who went to Burgundy to discover the greatest vintages. Like the Heat winger, Donovan Mitchell is still a novice but clearly wants to know more.
The “Spida Blend” soon to be tasted
It was in this capacity that he visited the property of the “Prisoner Wine Company” to participate in a discovery day. The vineyard has already collaborated with many NBA players, such as in 2022 when it launched a limited edition wine called “Corrections”, teaming up with Malcolm Brogdon, Kent Bazemore and Tobias Harris.
A special “learning wine for NBA stars” session has since been created for enthusiasts, a sign that demand is there!
“I started with Muscat, which was not one of my best decisions!”, he launched. “For me, it’s okay not to know anything. This is my first time in Napa Valley. Two years ago, I knew what I liked, but I couldn’t put it into words. Now, younger people ask me for advice. I knew I had to learn what was behind the wine.”
The program was rich with an immersion in the manufacturing process, and an introduction to blending during which the player was invited to select his own assortment of grape varieties. The Cavaliers guard chose a blend composed of 60% Syrah, 30% Zinfandel and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, all from the 2023 vintage. To mark the occasion, “The Prisoner” will produce a vat of it and bottle it under the name “Spida Blend”.
More than just a day of discovery, Donovan Mitchell was able to combine business with pleasure by participating in the fight of the “Prisoner Wine Company” for social justice in prisons and prison reforms. On the sidelines of his visit, a donation of $25,000 was made to the association “Alliance for Higher Education in Prison” which works to promote access to higher education in prisons.
A first bath
The aim of his visit was also to use his image to contribute to the promotion of wine, among connoisseurs and amateurs alike. “It’s like my signature shoes, I want people to be able to afford them. It starts there. I want to use my image to show that wine is for everyone.”he added.
He also promised himself to come back to spend a few days this time and continue to acquire more knowledge. With a view to following his elders by owning a winery of his own? Not for now, but after his career, who knows?
“When I do something, I want to do it all the way. I don't want to have it just for the sake of it. I want to understand all the little things. It's like my life, basketball.”
| Donovan Mitchell | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | LF | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2017-18 | UTH | 79 | 33 | 43.7 | 34.0 | 80.5 | 0.7 | 3.1 | 3.8 | 3.7 | 2.7 | 1.5 | 2.7 | 0.3 | 20.5 |
| 2018-19 | UTH | 77 | 34 | 43.2 | 36.2 | 80.6 | 0.8 | 3.3 | 4.1 | 4.2 | 2.7 | 1.4 | 2.8 | 0.4 | 23.8 |
| 2019-20 | UTH | 69 | 34 | 44.9 | 36.6 | 86.3 | 0.8 | 3.6 | 4.4 | 4.3 | 2.5 | 1.0 | 2.7 | 0.2 | 24.0 |
| 2020-21 | UTH | 53 | 33 | 43.8 | 38.6 | 84.5 | 0.9 | 3.5 | 4.4 | 5.2 | 2.2 | 1.0 | 2.8 | 0.3 | 26.4 |
| 2021-22 | UTH | 67 | 34 | 44.8 | 35.5 | 85.3 | 0.8 | 3.4 | 4.2 | 5.3 | 2.5 | 1.5 | 3.0 | 0.2 | 25.9 |
| 2022-23 | KEY | 68 | 36 | 48.4 | 38.6 | 86.7 | 0.9 | 3.3 | 4.3 | 4.4 | 2.5 | 1.5 | 2.7 | 0.4 | 28.3 |
| 2023-24 | KEY | 55 | 35 | 46.2 | 36.8 | 86.5 | 0.8 | 4.3 | 5.1 | 6.1 | 2.2 | 1.8 | 2.8 | 0.6 | 26.6 |
| Total | 468 | 34 | 45.0 | 36.6 | 84.3 | 0.8 | 3.5 | 4.3 | 4.7 | 2.5 | 1.4 | 2.8 | 0.3 | 24.8 | |
How to read the stats? GM = Games Played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Shots Made / Shots Attempted; 3pts = 3-pointers / 3-pointers Attempted; LF = Free Throws Made / Free Throws Attempted; Off = Offensive Rebound; Def = Defensive Rebound; Tot = Total Rebounds; Pd = Assists; Fte: Personal Fouls; Int = Steals; Bp = Loose Balls; Ct: Blocks; Pts = Points.
