Mitchell, who leads the Jazz with 18.3 points per game, averaged 23.1 points to go along with 3.4 assists and 3.2 rebounds in December.
He also produced several highlights. Mitchell, a rookie out of Louisville,scored a career-high 41 points in a win over the New Orleans Pelicans earlier in the month. He dropped 29 points in a win over the Cleveland Cavaliers. He asserted himself as Utah’s top offensive option.
With Wednesday’s loss to the Pelicans, the Jazz are now 16-22 for the season. But Mitchell has vaulted himself firmly into the Rookie of the Year race with his splendid December play.