Donovan Mitchell opens up about how he got his "Spida" nickname and why it stuck: "I move in such a crazy way" originally appeared on Basketball Network .
The tradition of nicknames is not a new concept in the NBA; it has existed for decades. However, it seems to have faded away in recent years, especially among the current crop of players. However, there are a few exceptions, such as Donovan Mitchell — also known as Spida.
The Cleveland Cavaliers ' star has certainly tried to preserve the age-old custom of the league. While monikers do exist, only a few of them have managed a recall value like that of King James, Chef Curry and Greek Freak. An integral part of the fan culture that needs to be preserved.
Addressing the subject in a recent conversation with Bleacher Report's Taylor Rooks, Mitchell explained the origins behind his Spida nickname. He considered himself lucky since his nickname was among the few that managed to stick.
"It's wild to think that...The whole Twitter thing, where it was like they gave random guys, maybe like the regular season, they called even like the "Anomaly," and that like went away. And then you got the King, you got KD, you got Chef Curry. So have mine to be the one that sticks and stays. I think it's pretty special to see people call my name when they see me on the street," replied Mitchell, agreeing it was pretty dope.
When asked about the origins of the nickname and who coined it, Mitchell revealed, "His name is AL. This is back when I was 9, he's from Jersey, I was playing AAU, and he gave everybody a nickname on the team, and he was like, 'Your name is Spider cuz you spin a web.' Basically, what I was saying, I move in such a crazy way. And then to say, it stuck."
At 6'3" and 215 pounds, with an impressive 6'10" wingspan, Mitchell's agility is a rarity for a guard his size. His explosive style and fearless drives to the rim drew frequent comparisons to Dwyane Wade , eventually inspiring his comic superhero-themed nickname.
"I think it makes sense. It's like the way my body moves, which is how I got the nickname. I've long arms, I jump pretty high. Do all these really different things, but it's really uncanny how I move. I think that was kind of the reason why I would think," a dded Spida, one of the top 10 all-time leaders in most points scored in a single NBA game.
The 71-point performance against the Chicago Bulls earned him this spot during the 2022-23 season.
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It's a long list, but some of the most iconic nicknames across generations remain MJ, Black Mamba, The Answer, The Round Mount of Rebound, The Big Ticket and The Mailman, among others. Today's NBA has its share of standout monikers too — from Ant-Man and The Joker to Playoff Jimmy, The Klaw, PG, and D-Book.
However, while nicknames have long been an integral part of NBA history, their use seems to be fading naturally over time. That's not necessarily a bad thing — it doesn't need to be forced. Instead, the league and fans can simply embrace and celebrate those nicknames that genuinely stick as they continue to play a unique role in brand building and creating a personal connection with fans.
This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Jun 30, 2025, where it first appeared.
