The Cleveland Cavaliers’ biggest star since LeBron James, is Donovan Mitchell. He is living up to his star status. They recently beat the 22-season veteran at the Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse where a banner hangs from the rafters because of LeBron. Yes, I’m talking about 2016, when the Cavs won. Mitchell, in all humility, acknowledges the impact James had on the Cavs and the city of Cleveland.

Spida Mitchell is focused on making his own mark in Cleveland. He understands that early wins in the regular season don’t determine a championship. With that mindset, the hooper and the Cavs can only focus on cultivating habits worthy of being a title contender. So far, they’ve been on the right track. However, as Mitchell is aware, Cleveland’s journey is just re-beginning.

The 6 foot 3 guard was born on 7th September 1996 to Donovan Sr. and Nicole Wright in Elmsford, New York. His mother, who is a teacher, is of Panamanian descent, while Spida’s dad was a Minor League Baseball player. Guess athlete genes run in their family! So, even though Jr has Panamanian roots, he is American. Christened as ‘Spida’ because of his steals, let us take a look at his family roots.

Donovan Mitchell’s Panamanian roots and the family’s sporting history

In April 2023, the Cleveland Cavaliers celebrated Noche Latina at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse during their game against the New York Knicks, a night dedicated to honoring Latin culture!

Spida proudly represented his roots. “It’s great to be a part of a night where you’re honored,” Mitchell expressed. He shared the significance of his grandmother, the first-generation American-Panamanian in his family. “I’m not here without her. For her to take that risk, not knowing any English, coming over here and laying the foundation,” Mitchell remarked.

He also noted that the Panamanian chain he often wears serves as a tribute to his grandma. Additionally, Spanish play-by-play announcer Rafael Hernández-Brito had the special privilege of announcing the starting lineup in Spanish.

Donovan Mitchell Sr., Mitchell’s father, played minor league baseball during the 1990s after being drafted by the Houston Astros in the 14th round of the MLB June Amateur Draft. He spent several seasons with the Astros before joining the New York Mets in 1999 as a minor league manager and coach. Over the years, he advanced within the Mets org, later serving as the director of player relations, according to his LinkedIn. He now holds the position of senior director of diversity, equity, and inclusion, as well as player relations.

While an injury in Donovan Mitchell Jr.’s sophomore year of high school led him to shift his focus from baseball to basketball, he continues to be a passionate Mets fan to this day. Growing up, Spida shared a strong bond with his mother, Nicole Wright. Wright had grown up in New York with her two siblings as the daughter of Panamanian immigrants. She carved out a career in education, taking an unusual route to get there. She worked as an accounts payable clerk in the New York public school system after holding various positions in banking, as she shared with the Salt Lake Tribune.

Throughout Donovan Mitchell’s childhood, his mother made numerous sacrifices, along with his younger sister.

In a piece for the Players’ Tribune, the hooper recounted, “[My mom] used to drive me all over New York City and New Jersey on the weekends to play in AAU tournaments. My mom probably put like 500,000 miles on that old Toyota Camry! The crazy part is that she couldn’t have cared less about basketball.” Now, if that’s not unconditional love, then what is?