D. J. Mitchell (basketball)

Mitchell was born in Melbourne, Victoria,{{cite web|url=https://godeacs.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/donovan-mitchell/4925|title=Donovan Mitchell|work=godeacs.com|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220915031830/https://godeacs.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/donovan-mitchell/4925|archive-date=15 September 2022|access-date=3 October 2022}}{{cite web|url=https://www.santaclarabroncos.com/sports/m-baskbl/2020-21/bios/mitchell_dj_8y3y|title=DJ Mitchell|work=santaclarabroncos.com|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221003084313/https://www.santaclarabroncos.com/sports/m-baskbl/2020-21/bios/mitchell_dj_8y3y|archive-date=3 October 2022}} to American parents.{{cite web|url=https://www.hoopsacrosstheocean.com/post/mike-mitchell|title=Mike Mitchell|work=hoopsacrosstheocean.com|date=22 October 2021|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220915022509/https://www.hoopsacrosstheocean.com/post/mike-mitchell|archive-date=15 September 2022|access-date=3 October 2022}} His parents met in Australia during the 1990s. His father, Mike, was playing for the North Melbourne Giants in the Australian NBL in 1997.{{cite web|last=Boyce|first=Dan|url=http://aussiehoopla.com/sons-of-guns-the-sons-of-nbl-imports-who-could-show-up-in-the-nbl/|title=SONS OF GUNS: SONS OF IMPORTS WHO COULD PLAY IN THE NBL AS LOCALS|work=aussiehoopla.com|date=7 April 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221003083808/http://aussiehoopla.com/sons-of-guns-the-sons-of-nbl-imports-who-could-show-up-in-the-nbl/|archive-date=3 October 2022}}

Mitchell grew up in Fresno, California,{{cite web|url=https://nbl.com.au/player/3709/1884950/dj-mitchell|title=DJ Mitchell|work=NBL.com.au|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221003104955/https://nbl.com.au/player/3709/1884950/dj-mitchell|archive-date=3 October 2022}} and attended Buchanan High School in nearby Clovis, where he was a three-time first-team all-conference honouree with the basketball team. He was an all-state volleyball player at Buchanan.

Mitchell played his first two college basketball seasons for the Wake Forest Demon Deacons. After playing in just four games as a freshman in 2016–17, he appeared in 30 games as a sophomore in 2017–18, averaging 2.9 points and 2.2 rebounds per game.{{cite web|url=https://godeacs.com/news/2018/3/14/Donovan_Mitchell_to_Transfer_from_Wake_Forest|title=Donovan Mitchell to Transfer from Wake Forest|work=godeacs.com|date=14 March 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221003103644/https://godeacs.com/news/2018/3/14/Donovan_Mitchell_to_Transfer_from_Wake_Forest|archive-date=3 October 2022}}

On 30 April 2018, Mitchell transferred to Santa Clara. He subsequently sat out the 2018–19 season due to NCAA transfer regulations.{{cite web|url=https://www.santaclarabroncos.com/sports/m-baskbl/2017-18/releases/20180430pl1vxd|title=Men's Basketball Adds Transfer Forward to Recruiting Class|work=santaclarabroncos.com|date=30 April 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221003085919/https://www.santaclarabroncos.com/sports/m-baskbl/2017-18/releases/20180430pl1vxd|archive-date=3 October 2022}}

As a redshirt junior in 2019–20, Mitchell played in all 33 games for the Broncos with 15 starts. He ranked third on the team in scoring (10.7 ppg) on 49.4 percent field goal shooting and was second on the team in both 3-point shooting (38.3 percent) and rebounding (5.2 pg). On 29 February 2020, he scored a career-high 25 points against Portland.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/recap?gameId=401175295|title=Mitchell leads Santa Clara over Portland 73-68|work=ESPN|date=29 February 2020|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221003091229/https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/recap?gameId=401175295|archive-date=3 October 2022}}

As a senior in 2020–21, Mitchell played in 18 games for the Broncos, starting five and averaging 6.4 points and 4.1 rebounds per game. On 16 February 2021, he scored a season-high 16 points against Loyola Marymount.

Coming out of college, Mitchell turned down an opportunity to play in Uruguay{{cite web|last=Leonard|first=Stephen|url=https://www.echo.ie/huge-excitement-ahead-of-return-of-national-league-basketball/|title=Huge excitement ahead of return of National League basketball|work=echo.ie|date=8 October 2021|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221003092637/https://www.echo.ie/huge-excitement-ahead-of-return-of-national-league-basketball/|archive-date=3 October 2022}} to instead begin his professional career in Ireland playing for Templeogue in the Super League while undertaking a master's degree at Griffith College.{{cite web|last=Summers|first=Lawrence|url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/other-sports/puff-summers-basketball-diary-mark-fired-me-before-but-we-have-a-wonderful-relationship-now-40976154.html|title=Puff Summers' Basketball Diary: 'Mark fired me before but we have a wonderful relationship now'|work=independent.ie|date=22 October 2021|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221003092257/https://www.independent.ie/sport/other-sports/puff-summers-basketball-diary-mark-fired-me-before-but-we-have-a-wonderful-relationship-now-40976154.html|archive-date=3 October 2022}} However, he left the team prior to making his debut after being lured to the Netherlands.{{cite web|last=Walsh|first=Daire|url=https://www.echo.ie/basketball-league-round-up-with-griffith-and-lions-victories/|title=Basketball League round-up with Griffith and Lions victories|work=echo.ie|date=17 October 2021|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221003094202/https://www.echo.ie/basketball-league-round-up-with-griffith-and-lions-victories/|archive-date=3 October 2022}}

On 15 October 2021, Mitchell signed with Dutch team BAL of the BNXT League.{{cite web|url=https://bnxtleague.com/en/bal-signs-dj-mitchell/|title=BAL SIGNS DJ MITCHELL|work=bnxtleague.com|date=15 October 2021|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220915031838/https://bnxtleague.com/en/bal-signs-dj-mitchell/|archive-date=15 September 2022|access-date=3 October 2022}} In 22 games during the 2021–22 season, he averaged 16.0 points, 8.2 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game.{{cite web|url=https://basketball.realgm.com/player/DJ-Mitchell/Summary/85661|title=D.J. Mitchell|work=realgm.com|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221003095143/https://basketball.realgm.com/player/DJ-Mitchell/Summary/85661|archive-date=3 October 2022}}

In June 2022, Mitchell moved to Australia and joined the Gold Coast Rollers of the NBL1 North.{{cite web|url=https://nbl1.com.au/player/197f1892-7426-11ec-b650-1bdc8f39f1df/d3f51409-f382-11ec-a1aa-abf104e38db6/donovan-mitchell/north|title=Donovan Mitchell|work=NBL1.com.au|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220915031837/https://nbl1.com.au/player/197f1892-7426-11ec-b650-1bdc8f39f1df/d3f51409-f382-11ec-a1aa-abf104e38db6/donovan-mitchell/north|archive-date=15 September 2022|access-date=3 October 2022}} He helped the Rollers win the 2022 NBL1 North championship.{{cite web|url=https://nbl1.com.au/news/gold-coast-crowned-nbl1-north-champions/north/|title=GOLD COAST CROWNED NBL1 NORTH CHAMPIONS|work=NBL1.com.au|date=27 August 2022|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220827124955/https://nbl1.com.au/news/gold-coast-crowned-nbl1-north-champions/north/|archive-date=27 August 2022|access-date=3 October 2022}} In 14 games, he averaged 18.4 points, 8.6 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.8 blocks per game.

Following the NBL1 North season, Mitchell joined the Brisbane Bullets of the Australian NBL for the 2022–23 season.{{cite web|url=https://nbl.com.au/news/bullets-add-son-of-a-gun-dj-mitchell|title=Bullets Add Son of a Gun DJ Mitchell|work=NBL.com.au|date=8 June 2022|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220608080329/https://nbl.com.au/news/bullets-add-son-of-a-gun-dj-mitchell|archive-date=8 June 2022|access-date=3 October 2022}} Following the Bullets' 0–4 start to the season, Mitchell was suspended for one game after being asked to leave training after having a difference of opinion with coach James Duncan over his role in the Bullets' offence.{{cite web|url=https://www.brisbanebullets.com.au/news/club-statement|title=Club Statement|work=brisbanebullets.com.au|date=19 October 2022|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221019133522/https://www.brisbanebullets.com.au/news/club-statement|archive-date=19 October 2022}}{{cite web|last=Logue|first=Matt|url=https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/basketball/nbl-news-blowup-at-bullets-training-united-import-jordan-caroline-under-pressure/news-story/e6f17fe8fb3cbd6375dc880905ce0cdd|title=NBL News: Blow-up at Bullets training, United import Jordan Caroline under pressure|work=dailytelegraph.com.au|date=19 October 2022|access-date=19 October 2022|url-access=subscription}} On 19 November 2022, he scored 21 points in a 90–82 loss to the Cairns Taipans.{{cite web|url=https://nbl.com.au/news/road-taipans-dig-deep-again-to-beat-bullets|title=Road Taipans Dig Deep Again to Beat Bullets|work=NBL.com.au|date=19 November 2022|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221119121551/https://nbl.com.au/news/road-taipans-dig-deep-again-to-beat-bullets|archive-date=19 November 2022|access-date=24 February 2023}} For the season, he averaged 9.56 points, 4.56 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game.{{cite web|url=https://www.brisbanebullets.com.au/news/dj-mitchell-returns-to-brisbane-in-nbl24|title=DJ Mitchell returns to Brisbane in NBL24|work=brisbanebullets.com.au|date=24 February 2023|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230224150635/https://www.brisbanebullets.com.au/news/dj-mitchell-returns-to-brisbane-in-nbl24|archive-date=24 February 2023}}

Following the NBL season, Mitchell joined Polish team Śląsk Wrocław for the rest of the 2022–23 PLK season.{{cite web|url=https://wks-slask.eu/d-j-mitchell-nowym-zawodnikiem-slaska/|title=D.J. Mitchell nowym zawodnikiem Śląska!|website=wks-slask.eu|date=6 February 2023|access-date=5 March 2023|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230206203305/https://wks-slask.eu/d-j-mitchell-nowym-zawodnikiem-slaska/|archive-date=6 February 2023|language=Polish}} He helped the team reach the championship series,{{cite web|last=Woods|first=Dan|url=https://nbl.com.au/news/international-dj-a-hit-with-polish-giant|title=International: DJ a Hit With Polish Giant|work=NBL.com.au|date=15 June 2023|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230615012327/https://nbl.com.au/news/international-dj-a-hit-with-polish-giant|archive-date=15 June 2023}} where they lost 3–2.{{cite web|last=Woods|first=Dan|url=https://nbl.com.au/news/championship-heartbreak-for-nbl23-stars|title=Championship Heartbreak for NBL23 Stars|work=NBL.com.au|date=16 June 2023|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230616054349/https://nbl.com.au/news/championship-heartbreak-for-nbl23-stars|archive-date=16 June 2023}} He averaged 5.8 points in 22 games.

Mitchell re-joined the Bullets for the 2023–24 NBL season. On 20 December 2023, he was ruled out for the rest of the season with a hip injury.{{cite web|url=https://www.brisbanebullets.com.au/news/dj-mitchell-set-to-miss-remainder-of-nbl24|title=DJ Mitchell set to miss remainder of NBL24|work=brisbanebullets.com.au|date=20 December 2023|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231220153726/https://www.brisbanebullets.com.au/news/dj-mitchell-set-to-miss-remainder-of-nbl24|archive-date=20 December 2023}} He averaged five points in 15 games.{{cite web|last=Woods|first=Dan|url=https://nbl.com.au/news/report-key-bullet-out-for-season|title=REPORT: Key Bullet out for season|work=NBL.com.au|date=20 December 2023|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231220014946/https://nbl.com.au/news/report-key-bullet-out-for-season|archive-date=20 December 2023}}

In April 2024, Mitchell joined the Ipswich Force for the 2024 NBL1 North season.{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/ipswichbasketballassociation/posts/pfbid012YHNeWHm8MDA5tSRRCLBG3JXAdPGFesgLgVsLiS96dFAaDvG1sCGdKpaYrdW3mLl|title=NBL1 North Player Announcement|work=facebook.com/ipswichbasketballassociation|date=8 April 2024|access-date=12 April 2024}} In 16 games, he averaged 21.44 points, 6.38 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.13 steals per game.{{cite web |title=DJ Mitchell |url=https://nbl1.com.au/player-listing/dj-mitchell |website=nbl1.com.au |access-date=31 October 2024}}

On 25 September 2024, Mitchell signed with Manchester Basketball of the Super League Basketball for the 2024–25 season.{{cite web|url=https://www.manchester.basketball/news/dj-set-to-rock-manchester|title=DJ Set To Rock Manchester|work=manchester.basketball|date=25 September 2024|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20241031094620/https://www.manchester.basketball/news/dj-set-to-rock-manchester|archive-date=31 October 2024}}

Mitchell is the son of Americans Mike Mitchell and Michelle Maher. His father played professional basketball in Australia and Europe while his mother played professional beach volleyball. His mother has Irish heritage through her grandparents. Through marriage, his father gained an Irish passport and played for the Irish national team. His parents later separated.

As a result of his Irish heritage, Mitchell also holds an Irish passport. He too is eligible to play for Ireland, which was touted as a possibility in 2021.

Mitchell has two siblings, Jaiden and Myca. Myca played volleyball at Wake Forest and Howard.{{cite web|last=Alvarez|first=Chris|url=https://abc30.com/good-sports-buchanan-wake-forest/1370654/|title=Good Sports - Mitchell Siblings|work=abc30.com|date=4 June 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221003124952/https://abc30.com/good-sports-buchanan-wake-forest/1370654/|archive-date=3 October 2022}}{{cite web|last=Cribbs|first=Arthur|url=https://andscape.com/features/howard-is-now-home-for-top-volleyball-transfer-myca-mitchell/|title=Howard is now home for top volleyball transfer Myca Mitchell|work=andscape.com|date=17 September 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221003124214/https://andscape.com/features/howard-is-now-home-for-top-volleyball-transfer-myca-mitchell/|archive-date=3 October 2022}}

In 2022, Mitchell played for two of the same teams his father also played for in the NBL, the Gold Coast Rollers and Brisbane Bullets.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2__L70yIoE&t=30s|title=NBL1 North All-Access: Episode 9|work=YouTube|publisher=Gold Coast Basketball Association|date=4 July 2022|access-date=16 October 2022}}

{{reflist}}

• [https://nbl.com.au/player/3709/1884950/dj-mitchell NBL profile]
• [https://godeacs.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/donovan-mitchell/4925 Wake Forest Demon Deacons college bio]
• [https://www.santaclarabroncos.com/sports/m-baskbl/2020-21/bios/mitchell_dj_8y3y Santa Clara Broncos college bio]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Mitchell, D. J.}}

Category:1997 births

Category:Living people

Category:American expatriate basketball people in Australia

Category:American expatriate basketball people in Poland

Category:American expatriate basketball people in the Netherlands

Category:American expatriate basketball people in the United Kingdom

Category:American men's basketball players

Category:Australian men's basketball players

Category:Basketball Academie Limburg players

Category:Basketball players from Melbourne

Category:Brisbane Bullets players

Category:Forwards (basketball)

Category:Irish men's basketball players

Category:Santa Clara Broncos men's basketball players

Category:Śląsk Wrocław basketball players

Category:Sportsmen from Victoria (state)

Category:Wake Forest Demon Deacons men's basketball players

Category:21st-century American sportsmen

Category:21st-century Irish sportsmen

Category:21st-century Australian sportsmen

Category:Manchester Basketball players