Name: Tony Mitchell
Age: 21
Height: 6-foot-8
Position: Power Forward
School/Country: North Texas
Latest Stats: 13.0 ppg, 8.5 rpg, 2.7 bpg, 1.0 spg
Tony Mitchell has had an unusual to path to the 2013 NBA Draft. After originally committing to Missouri out of high school, Mitchell was forced to sit out the 2010-11 season and ended up at North Texas. After a solid freshman season, Mitchell’s increase and hype for the NBA was at the forefront. He made the decision to return to the North Texas this past year as a sophomore, but team expectations quickly dwindled away. While the Mean Green struggled as a group, Mitchell’s numbers also took a hit. In turn, Mitchell has gone from a potential lottery pick a season ago to a late first round projection.
After averaging a double-double in 2011-12 with 14.7 points and 10.3 rebounds per game, Mitchell’s numbers decreased across the board. In all however, one NBA franchise should still pick up a valuable front court piece with down the road potential. Mitchell stands at 6-foot-8 and is listed as a power forward, but he does have the ability to stretch the floor and be rangy on the perimeter. Mitchell averaged 3.1 three point attempts in 2012-13.
Strengths: Mitchell has good size at 6-foot-8, 235 lbs. and in turn his potential has remained at the first round level ever since high school. Mitchell has proven in the past to be a double-double type performer at the collegiate level, so we will see if he can translate his game to the NBA. He can score around the rim and bang however, which could make him a perfect rotational guy for some NBA franchise almost immediately.
Weaknesses: Mitchell needs to prove his worth after a decrease in production and overall disappointing season in 2012-13. We know of his potential, but can Mitchell translate his production and success to the NBA? He needs to be able to establish himself as either a power forward or small forward, which could be crucial in his situation with whatever NBA team decides to draft him.
Draft Projection: Late First Round
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