Get to know Mitchell

Mitch signed a three year deal with Adelaide 36ers and was recently announced as captain after spending time recently in the Spanish League with Palencia Baloncesto and the Cairns Tapains in the domestic competition.

This followed a successful stint with the Metro State Runners where he earned a reputation as a high quality shooting guard.

Mitch is determined to win a domestic championship this year to complement his recent gold medal as captain of the Boomers at the FIBA Asia Cup.

His biggest prize these days though is son Oslo.

“I think Oslo has just brought a whole new perspective to life in general,” Mitch said. “I’ve always loved playing basketball, but now it’s no longer the most important thing in my life. I’m very lucky to have my wife Abby and Oslo!”

And Oslo could be as big a fixture at Adelaide this season as dad.

“I’m sure he’ll make some appearances this season,” Mitch said smiling. “He’s desperate to get onto the floor after games, and get a ball in his hands!” 

QDo you find it hard spending time away from the family due to your basketball commitments?

AVery! It’s unfortunately something that every professional athlete with children has to do at some point in time, but it really does suck to say goodbye. The return home is one of the best feelings in the world though! 

QThere have been lots of challenges in the last few years with Covid and I’m sure your family like many have had to deal with it and maybe missed the chance to see family on special occasions, share your life with loved ones etc……tell us about some of your personal experiences?

AEverybody has their own story, and I don’t want to pretend like ours is by any means the worst. We had our wedding in Mallorca cancelled, so we decided to get married in our close friends’ backyard instead! We also spent the majority of my wife’s pregnancy in lockdown. Unfortunately my wife’s family couldn’t travel from the USA, so it was tough for Abby having to do that journey without them. We’re extremely grateful for a healthy boy though! 

QWhen he starts playing Community Sport are you keen to get involved?

AI’ll be involved at some level, but I don’t want to overshadow him either. I’ll be there to support and help teach, but I’d like to surround him with other great coaches and mentors if he chooses to play basketball. 

QWhat’s the best thing about being a dad?

AWatching him grow every single day. New words, new dance moves! Coming home after a bad practice, and his smile erases that completely. There’s nothing quite like it! 

QTell us about your wife Abby?

AAbby is a kind, generous and caring partner. She loves getting around friends and family, having a drink and talking for hours. It’s amazing what the journey of becoming a parent shows you about the people in your life. Abby’s resilience and strength was just never-ending throughout the entire experience. Couldn’t have asked for a better person to do this life with! 

QWhat is your favourite activity with Oslo?

ASlight bias, but I love shooting hoops with him. He gets super excited to play, and it’s awesome seeing him doing things two days after he didn’t look like he was even close. Reading can be hilarious as well! 

QDo you have any memorable moments with him at this young age?

AThere’s so many already, but probably the first time he saw I had a mango. He’s a pretty good sharer with food and doesn’t mind letting dad take a bite of his meal. He was watching me eat a mango for a minute trying to work out what I had. All of sudden he’s right by me, swapping the mango back and forth between us. Ever since then, what’s mine is his too! 

QHave you been able to take the family on any recent holidays? Is there a place you’d like to go in the future?

AWe haven’t had too many, but we’re really looking forward to getting around South Australia this season now that covid restrictions are hopefully gone for good! 

Now let's hear from Abby

QDoes Mitchell enjoy being hands on dad?

AI grew up being a nanny and having nieces and nephews so I would say Mitch was a lot less experienced when it came to babies, but he jumped right in as soon as Oslo was born! He wanted to learn how to do everything and take things off my hands as much as he could. He can handle bath and meal time … but nappies still tend to be mom’s job!  

QDo you have any funny stories about him and in particular him being a doting dad?

AWith him being away a lot especially this off-season, Oslo and I also traveled a bit so there was a lot of FaceTime calls. Oslo learned buttons and anytime we called dad, Oslo would get a huge smile to his face but as soon as he got over seeing him initially immediately went to pressing buttons. He muted Mitch, turned the camera off, and hung up on him countless times! It was funny and frustrating all at the same time. Mitch, like always was very patient and although he just wanted to talk to us laughed it off and enjoyed any time he got to see his little face and smile. It can be really tough being away from each other but Mitch jumps right back in as soon as we are all back together.