Former Texas Longhorns forward Dillon Mitchell has decided to join the Cincinnati Bearcats, marking a significant move in the NCAA transfer portal. Mitchell, standing at 6’8 and weighing 205 pounds, brings with him two remaining seasons of eligibility. Following his departure from Texas a month ago, Mitchell contemplated offers from Miami, Memphis, and other schools. Additionally, he had declared for the 2024 NBA Draft upon leaving Texas.
Mitchell entered Texas with considerable hype, being ranked as the No. 8 prospect nationally and the No. 2 small forward by the 247Sports Composite rankings. His athleticism positioned him as a potential lottery pick in the 2023 NBA Draft. However, his freshman year was marked by struggles, particularly in shooting, which made opponents overlook him defensively unless he was near the basket. Consequently, Mitchell’s freshman stats were modest, with averages of 4.3 points and 3.9 rebounds per game.
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Despite initial setbacks, Mitchell showed improvement, particularly in ball handling and mid-range shooting, during his sophomore year. He also displayed prowess in transition plays and finishing around the rim. While his free-throw percentage improved, his three-point shooting remained a weak point. In the 2023-24 season, Mitchell played an average of 29.0 minutes per game, contributing 9.6 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 0.9 blocks per game, although his field-goal percentage slightly decreased to 58.5 percent.
Meanwhile, Texas is actively pursuing New Mexico transfer forward JT Toppin, who seems inclined towards a professional career following a strong showing at the NBA Draft Combine.
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