If you’ve watched a Miami Heat game lately and done a double-take, you aren't alone. Seeing a stocky, lightning-fast guard named Mitchell wearing number 45 feels like a glitch in the NBA matrix. Most fans immediately think of Donovan Mitchell, the perennial All-Star who made that specific number-name combo famous with the Utah Jazz and Cleveland Cavaliers. It's confusing. Honestly, it’s led to a mountain of Reddit threads and broadcast booth side-bars.
Is he related to Donovan? Did he take the number to troll him? Is it some weird tribute?
The truth about why does davion mitchell wear 45 is actually a mix of college loyalty, a fresh start in South Beach, and a very strange coincidence that has followed him since his days in Waco, Texas. While Donovan wears 45 as a tribute to Michael Jordan’s baseball career, Davion’s path to the number is a bit more personal and a lot less about "His Airness."
The Baylor Connection: Where the 45 Started
To understand the jersey choice, you have to go back to the 2021 NCAA Championship run. Before Davion Mitchell was "Off Night" in the NBA, he was the defensive engine for the Baylor Bears. When he transferred from Auburn to Baylor, he didn't just change schools; he changed his identity.
At Auburn, Davion wore number 0. When he arrived at Baylor, he switched to 45. There wasn't some grand, mystical reason behind it at first. In many interviews, it’s been noted that players often pick from what’s available or what feels like a "reset." For Davion, 45 became synonymous with his transformation into the best on-ball defender in college basketball.
It was in that #45 jersey that he:
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- Led Baylor to its first-ever National Championship.
- Earned the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year award.
- Developed the "Off Night" nickname because he literally gave opponents an off night.
When you win a ring in a specific number, it sticks to you. It becomes your brand. Even though he’s moved through several NBA teams now, that 45 represents the peak of his basketball journey so far.
Why Davion Mitchell Wears 45 Now (And Why He Didn't Before)
If you followed Davion’s early pro career, you might remember him wearing number 15 for the Sacramento Kings. He didn't have much of a choice there. Number 45 wasn't officially retired in Sacramento, but the Kings have a lot of history, and sometimes certain numbers are just "off the table" or held by veterans.
Then came the trade to the Toronto Raptors. Then the move to the Miami Heat.
When he landed in Miami in early 2025, the opportunity to reclaim his college identity opened up. In the Heat's system—a culture that prides itself on "Heat Culture" and grit—the number 45 felt right again. It’s a "big" number for a guard. Usually, guards want 0, 1, 3, or 11. Wearing 45 as a 6'0" point guard is a statement. It says you aren't afraid of the physical side of the game.
The "Not-Brothers" Mystery
We have to address the elephant in the room. Every time the Heat play the Cavs, the graphics guys have a field day. Davion Mitchell wearing 45 while playing against Donovan Mitchell wearing 45 is peak NBA comedy.
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They aren't related. Not even distant cousins.
Donovan Mitchell chose 45 because he grew up a massive baseball fan. His dad worked in Major League Baseball, and Donovan himself was a standout pitcher before a wrist injury pushed him toward hoops. He wears 45 because that was the number Michael Jordan wore when he played for the Birmingham Barons (and briefly when he returned to the Bulls in '95).
Davion, on the other hand, has had to constantly answer questions about whether he’s trying to "be" like Donovan. He’s been pretty vocal about the fact that it’s just a coincidence. They have similar builds—both are strong, "bowling ball" style guards—and they share a last name. But Davion's 45 is about his own legacy at Baylor, not MJ’s stint in the minor leagues.
The Psychology of the "Big Number"
There's something psychological about a guard wearing a number in the 40s or 50s. Think about guys like Patrick Beverley (21 or 22) or even old-school players. Higher numbers are usually reserved for the "bigs"—the centers and power forwards who do the dirty work.
By keeping 45, Davion reinforces his brand as a blue-collar player. He’s not a flashy, highlight-reel dunker like Donovan (though he’s plenty athletic). He’s a guy who’s going to pick you up 94 feet and make your life miserable. The number 45 looks heavy. It looks tough. For a guy whose entire career is built on defense, that aesthetic matters.
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Does it Help with SEO and Branding?
From a purely business perspective, wearing 45 is a bit of a double-edged sword for Davion. On one hand, it creates "search confusion." People searching for "Mitchell 45 jersey" are almost always looking for Donovan.
On the other hand, it makes him a talking point. You can't see him on the court without mentioning the coincidence. In a league where "player identity" is worth millions in endorsements, being the "other" Mitchell who wears 45 but plays lockdown defense gives him a specific niche. Fans in Miami have embraced it. It’s a part of the "Off Night" persona now.
What to Expect Next for #45
Davion recently signed a two-year extension with the Heat. It looks like the number 45 is staying in Miami for a while. As he carves out his role as a premier backup (and occasional starting) point guard, he’s slowly distancing the number from the "Donovan's brother" rumors and making it his own.
If you’re a collector, those Baylor #45 jerseys are already legendary. But keep an eye on his Heat gear. In the sports world, numbers are often about vibes. Right now, the vibe for Davion Mitchell is a return to his championship roots.
To keep track of how he's performing in that iconic number, you should:
- Watch the defensive metrics: Davion's impact rarely shows up in the points column, so look at "opponent shooting percentage" when he's the primary defender.
- Check the Heat-Cavs schedule: These matchups are the only time you'll see two #45 Mitchells on the floor at once, and the defensive battles are always high-intensity.
- Follow his "Off Night" brand: He's leaned into the defensive specialist role, and his jersey choice is a big part of that blue-collar image.
There's no deep conspiracy here—just a kid from Georgia who found his spark in college wearing a specific set of digits and decided to bring that same energy to the professional stage. It’s about comfort, history, and a little bit of being stubborn enough to keep a number even when everyone tells you it belongs to someone else.