Tony Mitchell (North Texas) Going Pro!

[arambone]

This is good news from a Celtics perspective. More depth for the first round. He gets comparisons to Kenyon Martin. I've had my eye on him all year as a potential sleeper pick. He might have gone lottery had he stayed in school.

A source close to the situation told NBADraft.net on Monday that North Texas' forward Tony Mitchell will leave for the NBA Draft this year.

The decision makes sense as within the past few days, head coach Johnny Jones took the LSU job.

Mitchell had previously announced in the past week, before the April 11 NCAA eligibility deadline, that he would return to school.

The standout Texas native originally committed to Missouri and then transferred due to academics, is projected by scouts to go in the first round of this year's draft.

Mitchell averaged 14.7 ppg, 10.3 rebounds, 3 blocks and 1.6 assists, 44% fg and 74% ft as a freshman last season. An extraordinary athlete, he also intrigues scouts due to his skill set and energy.

http://nbadraft.net/north-texas-tony-mitchell-going-pro

[arambone]

Several North Texas games are on espn3 replay. I've never seen a game of his but will watch one or two now.

[ianboyextreme]

This is actually sick. I was kinda dissapointed when i heard he wasnt entering cause i think he will land in the celtics range and is a rodman like rebounder. Big priority for me on draft day.

[arambone]

43% 3 point shooter with good form, high release, and obviously mad hops.

Lebron-like physique, already 235 pounds at 20 years old. Just turned 20 last week.

[mctyson]

I am getting more excited about the fact that we have 2 1st round draft picks and a nasty GM with the ammo.

[arambone]

Here's more scouting info:
http://dallas.sbnation.com/2012/3/7/2851165/tony-mitchell-could-put-north-texas-on-the-map-this-season

There are many things to like about him as a player: he's strong with the ball, has a good amount of coordination for a player his size, soft hands and the beginnings of a sound handle. When he got the ball in the post, he showed patience and a good feel for what was going on around him, making several excellent passes in traffic. Combine that with a clean release on his jump shot and range out to the three point line and he has the basic tools to be a versatile scorer and a mis-match nightmare, capable of scoring from the wing and the post.

However, Mitchell's use of his outstanding physical gifts still leaves a bit to be desired. First, he is simply not a good offensive player without the ball. When posting up, he fails to get low enough to use leverage and is pushed out of position fairly frequently. Additionally, while his release on his shot consistent and clean, Mitchell often fails to set his feet and is consistently off-balance, something exacerbated when he shoots off the dribble.

If he leaves now, he could be locked into a Brandon Bass role in the league. If he stays, he could develop into a lot more -- potentially even an All-Star caliber player if he can become a better shooter off the dribble and develop some comfort on the perimeter.

That scouting was based on only one game. In the one game I'm watching, Mitchell also has nice open court ball handling and heads up passing, along with crazy finishing ability.

I'm still not sure if he's quick enough to play small forward in the league, but the raw talent seems to be there, and the skill set is emerging, should he be asked to play such a role in the NBA.

Could be a great power three or stretch 4.

[csfansince60s]

Here's more scouting info:
http://dallas.sbnation.com/2012/3/7/2851165/tony-mitchell-could-put-north-texas-on-the-map-this-season

However, Mitchell's use of his outstanding physical gifts still leaves a bit to be desired. First, he is simply not a good offensive player without the ball. When posting up, he fails to get low enough to use leverage and is pushed out of position fairly frequently. Additionally, while his release on his shot consistent and clean, Mitchell often fails to set his feet and is consistently off-balance, something exacerbated when he shoots off the dribble.

If he leaves now, he could be locked into a Brandon Bass role in the league. If he stays, he could develop into a lot more -- potentially even an All-Star caliber player if he can become a better shooter off the dribble and develop some comfort on the perimeter.

This "negative" stufff is all good for the Cs chance of getting him, not bad. If he had none of these "flaws", he wouldn't slip to us.

Also, all these "flaws" can be fixed.

Wow, can you see him running the floor with Rondo and Bradley!

[ianboyextreme]

This guy was built to play with rondo- he can shoot run the floor and finish. The biggest thing for me though is that he is an outstanding rebounder.

[arambone]

Just heard a Sun Belt TV announcer said Mitchell's wingspan was 7'2". We'll find out soon enough.

Problem is, he's been flying under the radar in a small conference, and he's probably going to really shine in pre-draft workouts. I don't see him lasting much past pick 20, and he could go mid-teens or higher.

At the very least, his declaring for the draft pushes somebody else down to the Celtics.

If the Clips finish the regular season ranked 24th, but lose in the first round, what would that draft pick be?

[fairweatherfan]

If the Clips finish the regular season ranked 24th, but lose in the first round, what would that draft pick be?

24th.  Playoffs have zero impact on draft picks.

[arambone]

Fudge. We're fudged, lol.

[Galeto]

After seeing some of Mitchell's games on ESPN3, I'd be happy if the Celtics were able to draft him.  In the 20s, he would have as much upside and reasonably high floor as you could find in that range.  It looks like there's more than a decent chance that he could actually be available when the Celtics pick too although I can't say why.

His body type reminded me of Tyrus Thomas.  I wouldn't say he's as good an athlete as Thomas was since Thomas was an elite athlete when he came out of LSU but he looks like he has enough size to be a 4 and the quickness and agility to defend 3s on occasion.  His shot looked good and he also made some beautiful passes.

If he hadn't been ruled academically ineligible at Missouri a few years ago, he might be a lottery pick in this draft.  He could be a major steal.

[goCeltics]

would be happy with mitchell, stat wise very good, a freak athlete as well, read an article where thunder gm was scouting his game, part of the reason why i don't find it necessary to trade up in this draft should be worthwhile players in the 20's.

[goCeltics]

mitchell and roberson where the guys who hadn't declare that i thought the c's could target. I glad mitchell declared, roberson is staying in colorodo, good for him i guess.

[arambone]

I'm now less than 100% sure that Tony is coming out. Very little info out there verifying it, and I just read this reader comment at nbadraft:

According to Tony Mitchell himself, Tony's HS coach, and Tony's mom he is NOT leaving for the 2012 draft.

He remains committed to North Texas for 2012-2013.

The reports that he has decided to leave due to the coaching change are NOT accurate.

He has a Lebron-like game. Power, skill, can handle and shoot it. This kid is the most under rated player in America.

Again though - Tony Mitchell will be returning to North Texas.
http://nbadraft.net/north-texas-tony-mitchell-going-pro

Hopefully we get some clarification one way or the other.