“You Just Play Better,” NBA Star Married to Grammy Award Winning Singer Confirms Popular Fan Theory

Cleveland Cavaliers star Donovan Mitchell and American singer/actress Coco Jones have been together for nearly two years. The power couple kept their relationship private in the beginning, but have made quite a few public appearances together, with Jones often seen courtside when Mitchell is playing, and were seen at the US Open in New York this year.

The two got engaged in July during the offseason and were the talk of the town. Both of them have shown immense support for each other through appearances and social media posts. The power couple have achieved immense success in their respective fields.

Jones has been nominated several times and has even won a Grammy Award for ‘Best R&B song” for ICU in 2024. Meanwhile, Donovan Mitchell is a six-time NBA All-Star and considered one of the best scorers in modern NBA history. Mitchell is currently averaging 29.7 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 5.6 assists.

Jones made an appearance in the front row when the Cavs, led by Mitchell, took on the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on Christmas Day. The Cavs suffered a narrow 126-124 defeat, but Mitchell got to work, notching 34 points, along with seven rebounds and six assists.

Mitchell spoke about seeing his fianceé courtside and how it lifts his performance.

Everybody talks about how you play when your crush or like your love, your girl, your fiancée, your wife is at the game. You just play better. That’s a real-life thing.

Donovan Mitchell says it gives him an “extra boost” when Coco Jones is in attendance ❤️

"Everybody talks about how you play when your crush or like your love, your girl, your fiancée, your wife is at the game. … You just play better. That’s a real-life thing."

(via @andscape) pic.twitter.com/csuzXJ3VB4

— Cavaliers Nation (@WeAreCavsNation) January 15, 2026

The Cavs have not had a strong regular season this year after some strong performances in the last two seasons. They currently sit at seventh in the Eastern Conference standings with a 23-19 record, 0.5 games behind sixth seeds Orlando Magic.

Donovan Mitchell on looking up to LeBron James

Since LeBron James left in 2019, the Cavs have found little postseason success despite impressive regular seasons. Mitchell joined the franchise in 2022 and helped the Cavs return to the playoffs after a four-year absence.

While James is still putting up extraordinary numbers at 41, he is very much at the backend of his career. During a recent episode of the season-long diary with Andscape, Mitchell was asked to reflect upon James potentially playing his last game in Cleveland.

I think playing LeBron, what could be the last game. I personally don’t think it’s the end. I think knowing that game, what that means to the city, what it means to him, what it means to the league, what it means to me, it’s going to be a special one. When I was young, the person I got to see was Bron. To be here now, you know, to be the guy in Cleveland, to be in that spot is pretty surreal.

It is always a happy sight to see James in Cleveland, even as an opponent. He is their greatest ever player and has brought the city their first and only NBA Championship in 2016 and taken them to five NBA Finals.

Donovan Mitchell on representing Team World in the All-Star game

It is well known that Mitchell is an elite scorer and the Cavs’ primary scorer. The 29-year-old is averaging 29.5 points and has recorded four 30-point games in the six games he has played in 2026. However, despite his strong performances, the Cavs have gone 3-3 since New Year’s Eve.

Drafted by the Utah Jazz as the 13th pick in the 2017 NBA draft, Mitchell has earned six NBA All-Star selections and is very likely to earn his seventh selection this season. The Cavs’ shooting guard is having his career-best scoring season so far.

In the Andscape video diary, Mitchell goes on to embrace his Panamanian heritage thanks to his grandmother. He went on to add that if he earns a spot in this year’s All-Star Game, he would prefer to represent the World team, honoring his roots.

I do think I should be on the World team. But I don’t think people look at me as like a Panamanian basketball player. But I do.

It is understandable that people view Mitchell as an American first, as he was born in New York and has spent his whole life in the States. But he emphasized that his cultural background is meaningful to him and something he wants to recognize on a larger stage if given the opportunity.

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