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San Antonio Spurs: 25 Best Players To Play For The Spurs

By Phil Watson

Apr 24, 2015; San Antonio, TX, USA; A general view of the AT&T center before the game between the Los Angeles Clippers and San Antonio Spurs in game three of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 24, 2015; San Antonio, TX, USA; A general view of the AT&T center before the game between the Los Angeles Clippers and San Antonio Spurs in game three of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports /
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LOS ANGELES, CA - CIRCA 1981: Kurt Rambis #31 of the Los Angeles Lakers shoots over Mike Mitchell #34 of the San Antonio Spurs during an NBA basketball game circa 1981 at The Forum in Los Angeles, California. Rambis played for the Lakers from 1981-88 and 1993-95. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Kurt Rambis; Mike Mitchell
LOS ANGELES, CA – CIRCA 1981: Kurt Rambis #31 of the Los Angeles Lakers shoots over Mike Mitchell #34 of the San Antonio Spurs during an NBA basketball game circa 1981 at The Forum in Los Angeles, California. Rambis played for the Lakers from 1981-88 and 1993-95. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Kurt Rambis; Mike Mitchell /

SF. 1981-88. Mike Mitchell. 20. player. 29. <strong>How acquired:</strong> Trade, Cleveland Cavaliers, Dec. 23, 1981.

The San Antonio Spurs got an early Christmas present in December 1981 when they acquired All-Star Mike Mitchell from the Cleveland Cavaliers along with Roger Phegley in exchange for Ron Brewer, Reggie Johnson and cash.

Mitchell was a dependable scorer for the Spurs for the remainder of the decade before signing to play in Italy in 1988.

SAS_20_MITCHELL
SAS_20_MITCHELL /

He returned to San Antonio as a free agent in April 1990, but was waived by the Spurs in November 1990 before the season began.

In parts of seven seasons in San Antonio, Mitchell averaged 20.1 points, 5.5 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 32.8 minutes per game, shooting .493/.224/.784.

He averaged 24.9 points and 8.9 rebounds per game as a senior at Auburn and was the 15th overall pick by the Cavaliers in the 1978 NBA Draft.

Fifth in the NBA in minutes per game in 1980-81, Mitchell was an All-Star for the Cavs in 1981.

After his release by the Spurs, Mitchell played a season each in Italy and Israel before returning for seven more years in Italy, retiring in 1999 at the age of 43.

He died from cancer in San Antonio on June 9, 2011, at age 55.

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