The 2021 NBA Draft will be an important event for teams to build for their future. Here is the Davion Mitchell 2021 NBA Draft Profile.
Davion Mitchell Background
Position:Â Guard
Size:Â 6-foot-2, 205 pounds
School:Â Baylor
Class:Â Junior
2021 stats: 14.0 points, 2.7 rebounds, 5.5 assists, 0.4 blocks per game, 1.9 steals per game, 51.1% FG, 44.7% 3PT, 64.1% FT
Mitchell had a college career that sent him to two different colleges, but he has been one of the players who has developed the most in college basketball. He went from not being a draftable prospect to now being a potential early pick in the 2021 NBA Draft over his four-year college career.
Right out of high school, Mitchell decided to attend Auburn. He played for the Tigers for one season, averaging 3.7 points in 17 minutes per game. Following the season, he transferred to Baylor and sat out a season as a redshirt. He then averaged 9.9 points and 3.8 assists during the 2019-2020 season, which ended prematurely due to COVID-19. For his last season of college basketball, Mitchell elevated his game with 14 points, 2.7 rebounds and 5.5 assists per game. His play helped Baylor take home the National Championship.
Following a story-book ending to his college career, Mitchell is headed to the NBA. He is currently projected to be a lottery pick in the 2021 NBA Draft.
Strengths
Mitchell is one of the best two-way players in the class because of his defense. He has trememdous foot speed and can stay in front of opponents. Mitchell doesn’t have the biggest wingspan, but he still jumps into passing lanes and disrupts ball-handlers. His average of 1.9 steals per game is solid. Mitchell’s defensive effort is relentless.
His ability allows him to be a good combo guard at the NBA level. Mitchell is capable of handling the ball and creating for himself. He also can set up his teammates with his solid passing. Even though Mitchell wasn’t Baylor’s primary ball-handler, he averaged 5.5 assists per game. Mitchell also plays well off-ball on offense. His versatility will make him more appealing at the NBA level.
He developed into a good outside shooter in college. In his first season of college basketball, he shot less than 30 percent. Last season, Mitchell was able to improve his 3-point shooting to 44.7 percent. He can shoot well off the dribble or off the catch, which plays into his role as a combo guard. He will help spread the floor at the NBA level.
Weaknesses
Mitchell doesn’t have the prototypical size for an NBA combo guard. He is 6-foot-2 and 205 pounds, which is ok for a point guard, but will not hold up against some of the NBA’s bigger shooting guards. He has good strength for his size to help compensate for his lack of size, but he will still be outmatched against bigger shooting guards.
His free-throw shooting does not match how well he shoots from the floor. Mitchell shot 65.7 percent from the free-throw line for his career. He never shot 70 percent or above for a season. In order to maximize his offensive game, Mitchell needs to start hitting a higher percentage of his free throws.
Fans won’t see Mitchell throwing down acrobatic dunks, as that really isn’t in his skillset. He can finish at the rim with layups, but simply doesn’t have the size or athleticism to finish plays above the rim. This may make it hard for him to finish at the basket in general, which would make him more of a 3 and D player at the NBA level.
Projected Draft Range:Â Lottery Pick
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