Donovan Mitchell named NBA All-Star starter

Cavs shooting guard Donovan Mitchell has been named an NBA All-Star starter for the first time in his career.

Driving the news: The 26-year-old phenom was selected by fans, coaches and players to represent the Eastern Conference in the Feb. 19 showcase in Salt Lake City.

• Mitchell is joined by guard Kyrie Irving and forwards Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jayson Tatum and Kevin Durant as starters.

Between the lines: Mitchell, nicknamed "Spida," played his first five seasons for the Utah Jazz, arriving in Cleveland via a blockbuster trade this summer, so the All-Star venue will be familiar turf.

By the numbers: Mitchell is scoring a career-best 28.3 points per game and is shooting nearly 40% from beyond the three-point line, (a scorching rate).

• He has posted the best scoring season by any Cavaliers player not named LeBron James in franchise history.
• On Jan. 2, Mitchell joined an elite club when he scored 71 points and dished out 11 assists in a victory over the Chicago Bulls. He is one of only seven players to have eclipsed 70 points in a single game, and the only one to do so while recording 10+ assists.
• Mitchell's been no slouch defensively, averaging 4 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game.

🕷️ The bottom line: Despite hand-wringing over all-star selections by national NBA pundits, Mitchell was a no-brainer. His individual heroics, and the team's success, have earned him a rightful spot among the league's most telegenic stars.