It happens every time the Miami Heat and the Cleveland Cavaliers show up on the same TV screen. You see two guys with the exact same last name, similar builds, and—this is the kicker—the same jersey number. If you’ve ever found yourself staring at the TV wondering, is Donovan Mitchell related to Davion Mitchell, you aren't alone. Honestly, it’s one of the most common "wait, are they brothers?" questions in the NBA right now.
The short answer? No. They aren't related. Not at all.
They aren't brothers, they aren't cousins, and they don't share a secret family tree. But the reason people get so confused is actually pretty fascinating. It’s not just the name. There is a whole list of "eerie" coincidences that make this one of the weirdest double-takes in professional sports.
The Mitchell vs. Mitchell Mystery
Let’s get the facts straight first. Donovan Mitchell, the superstar guard for the Cleveland Cavaliers known as "Spider," was born in New York. His dad, Donovan Sr., has been a long-time executive for the New York Mets. Davion Mitchell, who recently found a new home with the Miami Heat after a stint with the Kings and Raptors, hails from Hinesville, Georgia.
Geographically, they grew up in different worlds.
Still, if you put them side-by-side, it’s spooky. Both are stocky, powerful guards who play with a "bowling ball" style. They’re built like NFL safeties. They both stand around 6-foot-1 to 6-foot-3. And then there is the number. Both players wear number 45.
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Why 45? For Donovan, it’s a tribute to Michael Jordan’s baseball number (and the number MJ wore during his first comeback). For Davion, it’s actually a tribute to... Donovan Mitchell. Davion has gone on record saying he modeled parts of his game after Donovan, and since they shared a last name, the jersey choice felt right during his college days at Baylor.
Two Very Different Family Trees
If you dig into their actual families, the "brother" theory falls apart pretty fast.
Donovan Mitchell’s Inner Circle:
- Parents: Donovan Mitchell Sr. and Nicole Mitchell.
- Siblings: He has one younger sister named Jordan. She was a star lacrosse player at American University.
- Background: Grew up in the New York/Connecticut area, attending prestigious schools like Brewster Academy.
Davion Mitchell’s Roots:
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- Parents: Earlene and Leo Mitchell.
- Background: Raised in Georgia, Davion’s path to the NBA was a bit of a "grind-it-out" story. He started at Auburn, transferred to Baylor, and led the Bears to a National Championship in 2021 before being drafted 9th overall by the Sacramento Kings.
Even though they aren't kin, they’ve definitely acknowledged the confusion. During the 2024-2025 season, when Davion was playing big minutes for the Heat and facing off against Donovan’s Cavs in the playoffs, the internet was practically screaming for a DNA test. They even shared a moment on the court after a game, smiling and swapping jerseys. It was a "real recognize real" moment, not a family reunion.
Why the Confusion Still Happens
Humans are wired to look for patterns. In the NBA, we’re used to family dynasties. We have the Currys, the Thompsons, the Holidays, and the Lopez brothers. When you see two elite athletes with the same name, your brain automatically tries to link them.
Plus, Davion’s nickname, "Off Night," sounds like something that could belong to a duo. Imagine "Spider" and "Off Night" as a backcourt pair? It sounds like a marketing dream.
The coincidence of their birthdays is another weird one. They are both Virgos. Davion was born on September 5, 1998. Donovan was born on September 7, 1996. They are almost exactly two years apart. If you were a parent who liked the name "Mitchell" and had two sons two years apart, you’d probably name them something similar, right? Donovan and Davion? It fits the vibe. But in this case, it’s just cosmic irony.
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Other NBA "Lookalikes" Who Aren't Related
The Mitchells aren't the only ones pulling this prank on our brains. The league is full of players who share names but no blood.
- The Williams Clan: There are roughly a thousand players named Williams in NBA history. Jaylin Williams and Jalin Williams were literally on the same team (OKC) at the same time. Not related.
- The Johnson's: Cameron Johnson and Keldon Johnson? No relation.
- The Porter Trio: For a while, we had Otto Porter Jr., Kevin Porter Jr., and Michael Porter Jr. all playing at once. Zero familial connection between the three of them.
It’s just a byproduct of having a league with 450+ players where certain last names are statistically common. But because Davion and Donovan look similar and play with that same low-center-of-gravity intensity, the myth of their relationship stays alive.
The Verdict on the Mitchell Connection
So, if you’re at a bar or watching the game with friends and someone asks, is donovan mitchell related to davion mitchell, you can officially set the record straight. They are friends, competitors, and mutual admirers, but they won't be seeing each other at Thanksgiving.
Davion is currently carving out his own legacy as one of the best perimeter defenders in the Eastern Conference with the Heat. Donovan is busy trying to lead Cleveland to a deep playoff run as a perennial All-NBA talent. They might share a last name and a jersey number, but their stories are entirely their own.
Next time you see Davion lock someone up on defense or Donovan explode for a 40-point night, just remember: it's not a family trait. It's just two of the hardest workers in the league who happen to have the same mail delivered to "Mitchell."
If you want to track how their careers continue to mirror each other, keep an eye on the Eastern Conference standings this year. With Davion now in Miami and Donovan in Cleveland, they are likely to meet in the postseason again soon. You can check the official NBA schedule or team rosters to see when the next "Mitchell Bowl" is going down.