NBA ALL-STAR DONOVAN MITCHELL JR. ’12 Inaugurates New Athletic Center

The atmosphere inside the brand-new Donovan Mitchell Family Athletic Center (The DON) was electric as alumnus Donovan Mitchell Jr. ’12 inaugurated the facility during a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Sunday, Oct. 27. The state-of-the-art gymnasium was filled with friends, family, and Mitchell’s Cleveland Cavaliers teammates, all there to celebrate his contributions to GCDS and his community. The Donovan Mitchell Family Athletic Center, nicknamed “The DON,” which stands for Determination Over Negativity, features a full-sized NCAA basketball court that can split into two high school-sized courts. The facility, which officially opened to the school community in late-November, also has the capacity to hold the entire N–12 school community for assemblies and events.

A 6'3" guard for the Cleveland Cavaliers, Mitchell is currently averaging 24.4 points per game this season. Drafted by the Utah Jazz in the first round of the 2017 NBA Draft, he is a five-time NBA All-Star and was traded to the Cavaliers in 2022.

“I am forever grateful to everyone, especially my teachers, coaches, and family who helped me get to where I am,” said Mitchell, who was visibly emotional as he mentioned many people by name, including his family members and teachers, and administrators. “From day one, before basketball was the plan, everyone in this community was always checking up on me. They told me what I needed to hear, not what I wanted to hear, and helped me to continually improve. They did it for no reason other than they cared about me.”

Head of School Adam Rohdie and Director of Athletics Tim Helstein kicked off the ceremony by unveiling Mitchell’s retired GCDS #45 jersey, the number he wore while a Tiger, which will hang permanently in The DON.

“Donovan left his mark here not because he was a terrific athlete, which of course, he was in multiple sports—including baseball and soccer,” Rohdie said. “He left his mark on GCDS not because he was a great musician, playing the drums and singing and dancing in the school musical. Donovan made his mark on the school because of the kind of young man he was then and is today.”

“Don is a terrific friend to everyone,” Rohdie continued. “He’s never stuck up, he never thinks he’s better than anyone else.”

Mr. Rohdie noted that you can still find Mitchell at GCDS once in a while. Even after he became an NBA All-Star, Donovan would return to his alma mater, where he always had time for the kids. He would run up and down with our varsity basketball team and would always check in with his old teachers.”

A Transformative Gift

Mr. Rohdie told the audience that in addition to funding the building of The DON, Mitchell and his family’s philanthropy supports increased access to education through GCDS student scholarships and professional development through the Faculty Support Fund. Mitchell’s mother, Nicole, was a Pre-K teacher at the school for 13 years and currently sits on the school’s board of trustees, and his sister, Jordan, Class of 2017, is an alumna.

“The GCDS community was a role model for us. Many people here do good just because it’s the right thing to do,” said Nicole Mitchell, thanking the crowd for their support.

The DON will host not just sports, but all-school events and assemblies. “The DON will become the Grand Central Station of GCDS,” said Mr. Rohdie. “This is a transformational gift, not only for our athletics program but for the entire school and I can’t thank the Mitchell familyenough for their generosity.”

Mr. Helstein took a moment to remember the old gym that The DON now replaces. “It’s here that Nicole brought her Pre-K class for foundational athletics skills and where Jordan was a star of the dance team. It was here where I first saw Middle School student Donovan Mitchell rise up and flush the basketball with one hand.”

“I can’t believe that this is our gym,” he said. “The size and beauty of it is beyond belief. I can’t wait to see these stands packed for hoops night, for playoff games and even Donovan’s camp. These walls will be the home of even more championship banners, record holders and maybe, just maybe, a few more NBA stars.”

People Make the Place

Brianna McDermott, a senior and captain of the GCDS varsity girls basketball team is a Mitchell Family Scholar. McDermott is the first person to have her name on the banner of the new gym. She scored her 1,000th career point last season and the banner, displaying her impressive accomplishment hangs prominently in the gym. She is thrilled that she will play her final basketball season at GCDS this winter.

“About four years ago, Donovan Mitchell and the Donovan Mitchell Scholars Foundation changed my life,” said Brianna. “Through the Mitchell Family’s scholarship, I was given a chance to attend this school and I had little clue that it would open as many doors as it did. When I first received the news that I had been selected as a recipient of this scholarship, I was unaware of just how transformative my experience at GCDS would be. Not only as a student and basketball player, but as a person. Of course, I knew that GCDS would offer me an incredible education, but nothing compares to the relationships I’ve built.”

“As I enter my final year at GCDS and reflect on the past three, it’s abundantly clear that the people make the place,” she added. “What truly makes it beautiful is the people within its walls. I see opening this gym as a fresh start. A new space that will allow myself, my teammates and my peers to work hard and play the game we love. There’s no doubt in my mind that the new atmosphere will be unmatched. It is truly a privilege to be the first girls team to play in The DON and set the tone for what the GCDS athletic program represents.”

To close the ceremony, Mitchell took the ceremonial first shot on the court. The crowd erupted in cheers as the ball swished through the net, symbolizing the beginning of a new chapter for GCDS athletics.