It was the summer of 2015.
Newcomers Lamar Jackson and Donovan Mitchell were just a couple of weeks into their courses on the University of Louisville’s campus when the true freshmen bumped into each other for the first time late one night.
Jackson, a quarterback, was kicking it with a few teammates while Mitchell — a guard for the basketball team — was hanging with the hoopers.
The introductions and casual conversation turned into friendly competition when they decided to enter the basketball program’s KFC Yum! Center practice facility for an impromptu dunk session.
There were no cameras. No media. No pressure. Just teenagers having fun.
“I was doing little basic dunks. … If we were talking about [NBA] 2K dunk comparisons, mine would be like generic, and his would be some crazy s— like Vince Carter or something,” Jackson told ESPN.
“It was impressive just to see him, and it was a few others and they were jumping and doing some stuff,” Mitchell recalled. “I’m like ‘Y’all might beat me if y’all actually focused on dunking and basketball,’ but I had to go out there and do some tricks myself and put that to bed.”
Now mentioned among the best at their positions in the NBA and NFL, the former Louisville classmates often reflect on those memories with great fondness.
Mitchell, 25, is a two-time NBA All-Star in his fifth season with the Utah Jazz, and he’s widely regarded as one of the most exciting young players in the league.
Jackson’s electrifying style has made him one of the faces of the NFL as he continues to break records as a 24-year-old quarterback of the Baltimore Ravens.
On Saturday, Jackson — who won the 2016 Heisman trophy and 2019 NFL MVP — will have his No. 8 jersey retired by Louisville during the Cardinals’ game against Syracuse (noon, ESPN3). He…
Source : espn
