Sports blog information from USA TODAY.
The Longhorn forward returns for a second year with the hopes of improving his draft stock.
One of the biggest wins in recruiting for Texas in the 2022 class was landing five-star forward Dillon Mitchell. Continue reading “Dillon Mitchell projected to go in first round of 2024 NBA Draft”
Dillon Mitchell could be a focal point for the Longhorns after returning from exploring the NBA draft.
Texas basketball head coach Rodney Terry received huge news on Wednesday. Dillon Mitchell is coming back to Austin for another season. Continue reading “Texas forward Dillon Mitchell to return for another season”
Mitchell recently worked out with the Trail Blazers and will compete in the combine next week.
Texas freshman Dillon Mitchell declared for the 2023 NBA draft last month, and the 19-year-old has been busy training with his agency in Los Angeles, California.
Mitchell left open the option to return to school next season when he announced his draft intentions on April 12. He recently took part in his first workout with the Portland Trail Blazers and was among the prospects invited to compete in the draft combine May 15-21.
The 6-foot-8 forward is highly touted for his athleticism and burst on offense, and ability to defend. He did the majority of his scoring in the paint and wasn’t known as a floor spacer, but is working to showcase that ability in front of teams.
I think that has been the biggest part. I’ve been putting a lot of work in and I think now just being able to show it and show that I can be more versatile — grab rebounds and push the ball myself; showing more parts of my game that maybe I wasn’t able to show. I think the main focus right now is just working on my jump shot.
Mitchell, a former five-star prospect from the Montverde Academy, averaged 4.3 points and 3.9 rebounds on 63.6% shooting from the field in 38 games. He scored in double figures six times, including a season-high 16 points on Dec. 27.
He is working out with his CAA Sports teammates, sometimes as many as three times a day. He believes that work is enabling him to take the next step as a shooter, which will ultimately help him at the next level either this year or next year.
Mitchell explained what else he brings to the court.
I think my athleticism is kind of what pushes me over the edge and my defense. Constantly being able to switch, working on being able to switch on guards, staying down on guards. I think my athleticism and defense is what pushes me over the edge. I just have to show the other parts of my game and if I am able to show that, I can just continue to work to be an all-around player.
After taking part in his first workout with the Trail Blazers, Mitchell has others on the schedule. He said he has visits planned with the Detroit Pistons, Indiana Pacers and Los Angeles Clippers.
He has until May 31 to withdraw from the draft and return to school.
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Tennessee forward Julian Phillips was among the prospects that worked out with the Trail Blazers on Wednesday.
The Portland Trail Blazers held a pre-draft workout on Wednesday and had a familiar face in attendance to watch the group of six prospects: All-Star Damian Lillard.
The organization hosted D’Moi Hodge (Missouri), Trey Alexander (Creighton), Ben Sheppard (Belmont), Julian Phillips (Tennessee), Jordan Miller (Miami) and Dillon Mitchell (Texas) in the workout, which was its first ahead of the NBA draft on June 22.
Lillard has often popped in for draft workouts over the years. Last year, he was spotted after a session giving tips to AJ Griffin, who eventually went to the Atlanta Hawks with the 16th pick. He has even represented the team at the draft lottery.
Also in attendance at today’s workout…
Damian Lillard
Bert Kolde
Terry Porter
Brian Grant https://t.co/nPtSLqaZXU— Casey Holdahl (@CHold) May 10, 2023
The Trail Blazers enter the draft lottery on May 16 slotted fifth after finishing 33-49 this season. They also have the 23rd pick in the first round this year via the New York Knicks and the 43rd overall pick in the second round via the Hawks.
The prospects the Trail Blazers brought in on Wednesday are projected to be potential second-round picks, though, with over one month to go until the draft, those projections figure to change.
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Kadin Shedrick becomes Texas head coach Rodney Terry’s first transfer portal commitment.
Virginia forward Kadin Shedrick announced his commitment to Texas on Sunday night.
Shedrick becomes the first addition to Rodney Terry’s 2023-24 roster from the transfer portal. His announcement snaps a long offseason drought to bring in a player from elsewhere.
The Virginia player averaged 6.2 points and 3.8 rebounds for his team last season. Not surprisingly, the player who hails from Virginia head coach Tony Bennett’s system is known as an excellent defensive player. Albeit, he does bring an element Texas desperately needs in next year’s squad: Height.
At 6-foot-11, Shedrick would have been the tallest player on last year’s squad. He joins 6-foot-9 forward Dylan Disu on the front line for Texas. The Longhorns will hope to get rim protection from the veteran transfer, or at least good enough defense that prevents opponents from getting to the basket.
As for next season’s roster, the Longhorns are in need of two more impact scoring guards and the return of guard Tyrese Hunter and forward Dillon Mitchell. Keep an eye on Oral Roberts guard Max Abmas who is considering the Longhorns as his recruitment comes to a close.
NEWS: Virginia transfer Kadin Shedrick has committed to Texas, he tells @On3sports.
Story w/ quotes: https://t.co/dpDylM7ici pic.twitter.com/wj1HKjEent
— Joe Tipton (@TiptonEdits) April 24, 2023
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Mitchell, a former five-star prospect from the Montverde Academy, averaged 4.3 points and 3.9 rebounds in 38 games.
Texas freshman Dillon Mitchell announced this week on social media that he will declare for the 2023 NBA draft while retaining the right to return to school next season.
Mitchell, a former five-star prospect from the Montverde Academy, averaged 4.3 points and 3.9 rebounds on 63.6% shooting from the field in 38 games. He scored in double figures six times, including a season-high 16 points on Dec. 27.
The 6-foot-8 forward entered the season projected to be a lottery pick but is viewed as a potential second-round pick after an underwhelming year. He still flashed his athleticism and energy in spurts and proved a strong rebounder in his 17.5 minutes per game.
— Dillon Mitchell (@Dillonmit_23) April 12, 2023
Mitchell will have the opportunity to gain feedback on his draft stock from teams throughout the process in workouts and interviews. He could opt to return to school next season but is expected to keep his name in the draft.
He will have until May 31 to withdraw and maintain his eligibility.
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Texas basketball is going to look a lot different next season.
Texas forward Dillon Mitchell made big news on Wednesday. The big time player declared for the NBA Draft.
While the news is suboptimal for the Longhorns next season, Mitchell still appears open to returning to the team. The talented forward posted to social media announcing that while he declares for the draft, he still maintains eligibility.
There aren’t many players from the team’s Elite Eight roster that intend to return for next season. Not long ago, Rowan Brumbaugh announced his transfer to play basketball at Georgetown. Arterio Morris let the public know he would enter the transfer portal as well.
Forward Brock Cunningham is one of the few set to return to the team. There’s a possibility that NCAA Tournament scoring hero Dylan Disu returns as could Tyrese Hunter and Mitchell if they are turned down by NBA teams.
Frankly, Texas needs all four of those possible returnees and as many as 6 transfers to field a team comparable to last season’s squad. After striking out on multiple early targets, new head coach Rodney Terry needs to start winning some of his portal recruitments quickly.
Texas will hold out hope that Mitchell, Disu and Hunter return to the team next season.
— Dillon Mitchell (@Dillonmit_23) April 12, 2023
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That was hardly a good, hard foul.
Whenever Texas travels to Ames to face Iowa State, the games can get chippy. Tuesday’s basketball game was no different for the Longhorns.
The Iowa State crowd did a great job of bringing a loud, raucous environment to set the tone for the game. Cyclone fans showed up ready to fire up their team and they did just that.
Some Iowa State players appeared to cross the line from chippy to personal. While it’s good to avoid judging motives and reading into a player’s intentions, it’s hard to see how this Cyclone did not intend to cause harm with an unprovoked cheap shot.
Later in the first half, officials stepped in to crack down on another Iowa State player attempting to get under the Texas players’ skin.
Here’s how Texas fans reacted to the foul.
Rookie Wire took a look at where the next draft class stands at the midway point of the season.
The 2022-23 basketball season is in full swing as the next wave of prospects across the college level and the professional ranks look ahead to the 2023 NBA draft on June 22.
Of course, Victor Wembanyama and Scoot Henderson remain at the top of draft boards at the start of the new year. Both could shut down their seasons right now and still be viewed as the best two players in the class. In other words: They are locked in at Nos. 1 and 2.
Elsewhere, though, fortunes change seemingly nightly.
Several prospects have improved upon their preseason rankings, while others have struggled and had their stock fall. The latest look at the class even has several freshmen on the rise after some impressive performances through the first half of the year.
Rookie Wire took a look at where the first round stands at the midway point of the season. It is important to note that team needs were not necessarily taken into account with each pick. The projections are rather a look at where each individual player stands at this point of the process.
Note: The order of the draft was pulled from Tankathon as of Jan. 10. The draft will have only 58 picks this year because the Bulls and Sixers were stripped of their second-round picks by the NBA due to tampering violations.
Texas’ win over Gonzaga sparked tons of excitement.
Texas’ 2022-23 college basketball season is off to a fantastic start with a statement victory over No. 2 Gonzaga. Chris Beard’s squad proved themselves as a legitimate contender on the big stage with the win.
The Moody Center was rocking behind an inspired Longhorns performance. Every shot Texas made from start to finish was responded to by an erupting crowd reaction. A pair of Dillon Mitchell dunks toward the end of the game had the roof ready to fall off.
It was a dominant showing for Texas at every position group but guards Tyrese Hunter and Marcus Carr led the charge. Hunter finished with a career-high 26 points in this premier matchup. Carr added 16 points of his own as the Texas backcourt looks like a force to be reckoned with.
Texas’ victory over Gonzaga sparked tons of excitement on social media. Here is a look at some of Twitter’s best reactions to the Horns ‘massive win on Wednesday night.
