Golden State Warriors rookie Eric Paschall had his first opportunity on Monday night to play his childhood friend, and Utah Jazz guard, Donovan Mitchell.
The two grew up playing AAU together in New York and have remained close ever since. Prior to the beginning of the season, Mitchell even named Paschall to be his sleeper pick for the Rookie of the Year award.
“He brings so much to a team that’s ready to play now,” Mitchell said at the time. “He is a defender, he is athletic, he can shoot and he’s strong. He wasn’t like that when we were younger.”
Though it was Mitchell and the Jazz that walked away with the 122-108 win over Paschall, the two friends caught up with each other after the game and exchanged jerseys.
From childhood friends to the League. Special moment between @spidadmitchell and @epaschall ✊🏽 (via @NBA) pic.twitter.com/FsRPZYHXTn
— SLAM (@SLAMonline) November 12, 2019
Paschall recorded eight points and six rebounds in 30 minutes off of the bench while Mitchell had 23 points in the contest. The two were briefly matched up with each other as Paschall held Mitchell scoreless on three shot attempts.
The game for the two friends was surely a special moment after playing with each other countless times growing up. After losing on Monday, Paschall will certainly have something to say the next time they play on Nov. 22 in Utah.
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