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After two years as a starter for the Texas Longhorns, 6’8 forward Dillon Mitchell entered the NCAA transfer portal while declaring for the 2024 NBA draft.
Mitchell was a highly regarded high school prospect when he began his freshman season with Texas, but despite starting 38 games he only averaged 4.3 points and 3.9 rebounds. His complete lack of an outside shot (0 three point attempts) and 40.5% mark from the free throw line led to him returning for his sophomore season where his opportunities offensively were expanded.
Mitchell finished Year 2 averaging 9.6 points and 7.5 rebounds, along with 1.4 assists, 1.0 steals, and 0.9 blocks. He went 0-8 from the three point line and was still just 59.8% from the free throw line, but his ability as a rebounder and defender make him an appealing transfer portal addition.
Assuming Mitchell returns to school for his junior year, there will be plenty of programs trying to land him. Below is a look at five that make the most sense, including a program set to host him on a visit this upcoming weekend:
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Recent reports indicate Wes Miller and Cincinnati are hosting Mitchell, with many believing the rising junior will stay in the Big 12 and join the Bearcats next season.
Cincinnati kept basically their entire core together from last season, with the notable loss being power forward Viktor Lakhin who transferred to Clemson. Mitchell could seamlessly slide into that role for the Bearcats as a strong rebounder and low post scorer, and the pair of Mitchell and Aziz Bandaogo would be a nightmare for Big 12 teams to try to score on.
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Rick Pitino just made two big additions to shore up St. John’s backcourt in Kadary Richmond from Seton Hall and Deivon Smith from Utah. Now, attention turns to the frontcourt where the Red Storm have to replace star big man Joel Soriano and forward Chris Ledlum.
The program did bring in USC center Vincent Iwuchukwu, but there is plenty of room for a versatile, athletic jumbo sized wing in Pitino’s system. Three point shooting is already an issue on this roster, however, and Mitchell’s non-existent outside shot could make this a tougher fit. If Pitino is okay with adding another non-shooter there is a lot to like about this fit for both sides.
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Hubert Davis and North Carolina are still looking to replace a massive hole in the frontcourt following the departure of Armando Bacot, the school’s all-time leading rebounder.
While Mitchell is not a back-to-the-basket low post anchor the way Bacot was, he would give this team a versatile wing who can score around the rim and who has proven to be a tenacious rebounder and solid defender.
Carolina would still need to find a true center, but Mitchell would be a really productive piece for coach Davis as this team looks to get back to the Final Four in 2025.
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Florida State rostered an incredibly tall, lanky, athletic wing who is great defensively but isn’t much of a shooter the past two years in Baba Miller, but he is in the NBA draft process and the transfer portal – leaving coach Leonard Hamilton to look for a replacement.
Enter Mitchell, a native of Florida who could fill that role admirably for the ‘Noles while likely contributing even more offensively. FSU tends to play a deep bench, which can limit individual performances, but Mitchell would be in a prime spot to have a breakout season while playing in his home state and for a program that has had plenty of success putting guys in the NBA.
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Another option if Mitchell wants to play close to home would be Miami, who was decimated by injuries last season and now has to rebuild after losing guard Wooga Poplar and big man Norchad Omier to the transfer portal.
Mitchell could serve as a replacement for Omier, stepping into a starting role in the frontcourt while gobbling up rebounds and playing a versatile role defensively.
Mitchell would pair nicely with Virginia Tech transfer addition Lynn Kidd in a new-look Miami frontcourt as the program looks to put last year’s woes in the rearview mirror and compete for an ACC title in 2025.
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Courtesy : https://collegesportswire.usatoday.com/lists/transfer-portal-dillon-mitchell-texas-longhorns-basketball/