Donovan Mitchell’s parents, Donovan Sr. and Nicole Mitchell, created a healthy atmosphere where their young and gifted children could develop and blossom into outstanding athletes.
Born on September 7, 1996, Donovan Mitchell Jr. is an American professional basketball player for the Cleveland Cavaliers of the NBA.
Before being drafted in the first round of the 2017 NBA draft and acquired by the Utah Jazz, Mitchell played college basketball for the Louisville Cardinals.
As a collegiate player, he earned first-team all-conference honors in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) in 2017.
During his rookie season, he was named the NBA All-Rookie First Team and took home the 2018 Slam Dunk Contest trophy.
Nicole Mitchell, Donovan Mitchell’s Mother, Is Of Panamanian Descent!
Donovan Mitchell Sr. and Nicole Mitchell are the proud parents of Donovan Mitchell.
Their sacrifices, undying love, and support helped Mitchell become who he is today.
While his mother was unsure about his athletic ambitions, his father always ensured that he followed his dreams.
Nicole felt concerned when Donovan began focusing on basketball rather than his studies.
She didn’t understand how basketball would help her child to become successful in life. Thus, she urged him to focus on academics and improve his marks.
Donovan soon realized that if he wanted to continue playing basketball, he needed to prioritize his studies.
Once, Nicole had to ground Mitchell after he couldn’t complete his assignment due to playing.
Since he didn’t want to disappoint his teammates by missing a game, he learned to balance basketball and education.
Nicole was not always unsupportive of her son but wanted Mitchell to concentrate on academics, as this is a more steady and dependable career path.
Hence, she urged her son to focus on his academics so that he could earn a scholarship to play collegiate basketball.
Nicole is also passionate about philanthropy. On World Teachers’ Day, she and her son, Donovan, donated gift packs and sneakers to two Salt Lake City schools.
Therefore, she instilled strong values and morals in her child, teaching him the importance of helping others in need.
Additionally, Nichole Wright was born to Panamanian immigrants and spent her childhood in New York City with her two siblings.
Hence, her experiences as a teacher and third-generation immigrant have shaped her appreciation for education.
Donovan Mitchell Sr.’s Athletic Pursuits Influenced His Children To Pursue A Sports Career!
The same is true for Mitchell’s father, Donovan Sr., who is a superhero to his son.
He was the minor league manager and coach for the New York Mets in Major League Baseball (MLB).
He is now the New York Mets’ Senior Director of DEI and Player Relations. Moreover, Donovan Sr. is a former minor-league baseball player.
His illustrious athletic background influenced his kids to pursue sports. Donovan Jr. has always credited his father as his role model.
Senior valued having his son, Junior, around him while working in the Mets Minor League system.
“He was living a professional life at the age of nine and 10 before he became a professional. He really enjoyed being around the players. He actually felt he was a part of the team. He had his own uniform. He would get dressed in the coaches locker room. He would be in the locker room and talk with guys and hang out with the guys. When the guys would go out and stretch, he would stretch with them and throw with them. They took them under their wing. He was like a little brother, which I thought was cool.”
Donovan Mitchell Sr.
Junior stated that if his father hadn’t exposed him to baseball players, he would not be the professional he is now.
“I appreciate that experience. He took me everywhere he went. To see that from this level, I brought it to my profession.”
Donovan Mitchell Jr.
Junior was always in the clubhouse, making friends with players like Scott Kazmir and Josh Thole, while his dad was busy preparing for the game.
Moreover, Junior became a bat boy for the Kingsport Mets, the club’s Rookie League team.
Junior contemplated becoming a professional baseball player, akin to his father, after having a great experience in the clubhouse.
However, after Junior fractured his wrist during his sophomore year at Brewster Academy, he decided to play basketball.
Nonetheless, Mitchell’s father still supported his choice. Donovan Jr. emerged as a rising star in the NBA, becoming a five-time All-Star.
“He asked me, would I be upset if he stopped playing baseball? I told him, no. I wanted him to do what was going to make him happy. He was being heavily recruited at that time by a few schools and wanted to focus on basketball and not take a chance in hurting himself in baseball.”
Donovan Mitchell Sr.
On November 2, 2024, Mitchell delivered the game-winning shot against the Milwaukee Bucks and culminated 30 points, three rebounds, and four assists in a 114-113 victory.
Similarly, Jordan, Junior’s younger sister, is one of American University‘s best lacrosse players.
Jordan became the Patriot League All-League Second Team‘s defender in May 2023.
Moreover, she is on the Patriot League Academic Honor Roll, setting a career-high with 20 ground balls for the third-highest mark on the team.
“My children mean the world to me. They are the reason I do what I do. They are my driving force that keeps me going every day. It has been a pleasure watching them grow, watching them develop into the two young adults that they are.”
Donovan Mitchell Sr.
Therefore, passion, dedication, and athletic prowess run in Donovan’s genes.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- On March 11, 2020, Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert tested positive for COVID-19, resulting in the NBA suspending its season.
- Mitchell chose to wear the number 45 on his jersey in honor of Michael Jordan, who wore the same number during his baseball career and at the beginning of his NBA comeback in 1995.
- Mitchell appeared in the documentary Rookie on the Rise and was on the cover of Slam during the 2017-18 NBA season.
