With the NBA Draft scant hours away, HoopsHabit.com continues its previews with a look at some of the top prospects, including:
SF/PF Tony Mitchell, North Texas, 6’9”, 236 lbs
2012-13 stats: 13 ppg, 8.5 rpg, 0.8 apg, 2.7 bpg, 1 spg, 44% FG, 30% 3pt, 67.5 FT
The Skinny
Tony Mitchell missed the first nine games of his freshman season due to academic issues, but then had a monster year for the Mean Green in 2011-12. But his numbers dipped across the board in 2012-13 despite his minutes increasing from 29 to 32 per game for a North Texas team that was just 12-20 and was bounced in the first round of the Sun Belt Conference tournament in March. He turned 21 in April and is considered a first-round talent.
Strengths
Mitchell is an athletic combo forward who runs the court well and was a frequent recipient of lobs in transition. He has a long wingspan (7’3”) and has the quickness and versatility to guard multiple positions. Defensively, he is a shot blocker who can also create turnovers and is a relentless rebounder, averaging 10.3 boards per game as a freshman. He’s become a decent spot-up shooter out to about 20 feet and is a quick and decisive finisher in the post. He’s also very good at moving without the ball and creates scoring chances for himself with strong, decisive cuts to the rim.
Weaknesses
Could be a 3 or 4 at the NBA level, but really hasn’t established himself as a master at either position. There are concerns about his long-range shooting after his 3-point percentage bottomed out from 43.9 percent as a freshman to just 30 percent in 2012-13. While he’s become more comfortable putting the ball on the floor, he’s not likely to try to take his man off the dribble and when he does drive, he’s far too reliant on going to his right. He’s also prone to turnovers and can let his passion for the game get the best of him, leading to mistakes and silly fouls. He also didn’t face the highest level of competition in the Sun Belt.
Here is Mitchell’s scouting report:
Highlight Game
Jan. 3 vs. Troy (W 76-59) 29 pts, 15 reb, 4 blks, 9-for-17, 1-for-3 3-pt, 10-for-12 FT
Mitchell posted the 15th double-double of his career against the Trojans and scored five points as the Mean Green opened the game on a 13-0 run. Most importantly for Mitchell, he avoided foul trouble and he was very solid at the line, an area where he had trouble last season.
Lowlight Game
Dec. 1 vs. Louisiana-Lafayette (L 80-76) 3 pts, 4 reb, 3 blks, 5 to, 1-for-1, 1-for-2 FT, fouled out
The Mean Green lost their conference opener in large part because Mitchell didn’t show up. He played just 25 minutes because of foul trouble and when he was on the floor, he was largely invisible. It was shocking to see how the Ragin’ Cajuns were able to completely eliminate Mitchell from the game, especially considering it was a home game for North Texas.
Some of his highlights from his time at North Texas:
Potential Landing Spots
Mitchell should go off the board sometime in the second half of the first round. The various mock drafts have him going as high as No. 19 and as low as No. 28.
Teams That Make Sense
New York Knicks: The Knicks are said to like Mitchell a lot because of his strength, length and athletic ability and New York could use some help up front.
San Antonio Spurs: Mitchell could help the Spurs get more athletic up front, a possibility that becomes even more enticing should San Antonio opt to let Tiago Splitter walk in free agency.
Indiana Pacers: Mitchell could add some needed frontcourt depth to a second unit that was one of the NBA’s worst last season.