By Kevin Lonnquist
Publisher
In a year where everything came together perfectly for him on the court, Baylor junior guard Davion Mitchell is ready to try it professionally.
As expected, the reigning Naismith Defensive Player of the Year announced late Tuesday on social media that he was declaring for the 2021 NBA draft and will hire an agent. By doing that, he will forego his last two years of eligibility and not return to Baylor. The NCAA ruled that 2020-21 season would not count against any student-athlete’s eligibility.
Noted for his defense, Mitchell’s offensive game went to the next level this past season.
He led all Baylor players in shooting (.511) and 3-point shooting (.441). Mitchell finished the Bears’ National Championship season averaging 14.0 points per game. The Bears finished the season at 28-2.
During the six-game tournament run, Mitchell averaged 13.5 points and shot 50 percent (34-68) from the field. He was also named to the All-Final Four team after Baylor defeated Gonzaga for its first national title, 86-70.
One of his notable performances was in the Elite 8 matchup against Arkansas. Mitchell picked up three fouls in the first half but didn’t collect a foul in the second half and scored 10 of his 12 points in that stanza as the Bears held off the Razorbacks, 81-72, to win the South Regional and make their third Final Four appearance in school history.
A transfer from Auburn, Mitchell sat out for the 2018-19 season but contributed mightily during the 26-4 2019-20 campaign in which Baylor rattled off a Big 12-record 23-game winning streak.
He developed that defensive reputation last year but wasn’t counted on as much offensively when he averaged just 9.9 points and shot 41 percent from the field and 32 percent from the arc.
Fort 2020-21, Mitchell was also named Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year and first-team selection, a third-team All-American and the South Regional MVP.
NBA draft projections have pretty much locked Mitchell to land somewhere in the first round. Those have run from either the lottery to the later picks.
Baylor is not done with players expected to announce their NBA draft intentions. Point guard Jared Butler should soon follow. Senior forward Mark Vital and senior guard MaCio Teague said following the March 7 regular season finale against Texas Tech that they do not plan to return.
SicEmSports will keep you up to date on how the Baylor men’s basketball roster continues to unfold for 2021-22.
Projected Draft Status: NBA Draft Room
No. 13 Golden State Warriors: Competitor, a great defender and a winner who brings it every game. Changes the game with his elite defense and blazing open court speed.
Publisher
In a year where everything came together perfectly for him on the court, Baylor junior guard Davion Mitchell is ready to try it professionally.
As expected, the reigning Naismith Defensive Player of the Year announced late Tuesday on social media that he was declaring for the 2021 NBA draft and will hire an agent. By doing that, he will forego his last two years of eligibility and not return to Baylor. The NCAA ruled that 2020-21 season would not count against any student-athlete’s eligibility.
Noted for his defense, Mitchell’s offensive game went to the next level this past season.
He led all Baylor players in shooting (.511) and 3-point shooting (.441). Mitchell finished the Bears’ National Championship season averaging 14.0 points per game. The Bears finished the season at 28-2.
During the six-game tournament run, Mitchell averaged 13.5 points and shot 50 percent (34-68) from the field. He was also named to the All-Final Four team after Baylor defeated Gonzaga for its first national title, 86-70.
One of his notable performances was in the Elite 8 matchup against Arkansas. Mitchell picked up three fouls in the first half but didn’t collect a foul in the second half and scored 10 of his 12 points in that stanza as the Bears held off the Razorbacks, 81-72, to win the South Regional and make their third Final Four appearance in school history.
A transfer from Auburn, Mitchell sat out for the 2018-19 season but contributed mightily during the 26-4 2019-20 campaign in which Baylor rattled off a Big 12-record 23-game winning streak.
He developed that defensive reputation last year but wasn’t counted on as much offensively when he averaged just 9.9 points and shot 41 percent from the field and 32 percent from the arc.
Fort 2020-21, Mitchell was also named Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year and first-team selection, a third-team All-American and the South Regional MVP.
NBA draft projections have pretty much locked Mitchell to land somewhere in the first round. Those have run from either the lottery to the later picks.
Baylor is not done with players expected to announce their NBA draft intentions. Point guard Jared Butler should soon follow. Senior forward Mark Vital and senior guard MaCio Teague said following the March 7 regular season finale against Texas Tech that they do not plan to return.
SicEmSports will keep you up to date on how the Baylor men’s basketball roster continues to unfold for 2021-22.
Projected Draft Status: NBA Draft Room
No. 13 Golden State Warriors: Competitor, a great defender and a winner who brings it every game. Changes the game with his elite defense and blazing open court speed.
