July really is birthday central in the NBA. If you had notifications on for the league’s X page today, your feed probably got hit with five straight “Happy Birthday” posts. And while July 18th doesn’t boast the numbers, it does carry weight, because it belongs to none other than Bam Adebayo. And guess who showed up first with the birthday love? His draft-day brother and longtime friend, Donovan Mitchell. Their bond’s been tight since 2017, and if you caught Spida’s Instagram story today, you’d know there’s a lot more to this friendship than what the public usually sees. Just the surface, really.
Mitchell and Adebayo share one of the NBA’s most authentic friendships, rooted in mutual respect and a shared journey as 2017 Draft classmates. Mitchell went 13th to the Jazz, Adebayo followed at 14th to the Heat—different paths, same starting line. Despite repping rival colleges—Louisville for Mitchell, Kentucky for Bam—their bond grew beyond hoops. Over the years, they’ve supported each other through All-Star rises, playoff battles, and off-court moments that built trust. In a league where friendships often feel surface-level, theirs stands out as real, grounded, and built to last—one that started on draft night and never looked back.
“Happy birthday my son @bam1of1 ,” wrote Mitchell on his Insta story. His own birthday hasn’t even rolled around yet, but calling Bam “son”? That’s top-tier banter—classic Spida energy. It’s the kind of playful jab that only comes with years of genuine friendship. These two? Built differently.
Dec 2, 2022; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) reacts after being called for traveling during the first half against the Orlando Magic at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
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