After aiding Duke’s incredible run to win the ACC Championship, Mark Mitchell has shown his capabilities of becoming a dominant force this season. The six-foot-nine forward dominated inter-squad scrimmages at Duke this summer and improved his game.
Mark Mitchell Is Slept On
Background
High School
Mitchell was an incredible high school player. At Sunrise Christian Academy, his success led to a McDonald’s All-American Game selection. A five-star recruit in high school, Mitchell established an incredible recruiting class for coach Jon Scheyer. Therefore, Mitchell came with an expectation to produce for the Blue Devils right away.
Duke
Mitchell produced a solid first year in Durham. The forward averaged 9.1 points and 4.5 rebounds. He shot 46.9% from the field and 35.2% from three. He was an excellent player for Duke, as he gave a lot of versatility to the Blue Devils’ lineup. His defensive presence and ability to play small and power forward make him a valuable player.
Mitchell’s Summer Production
Defensive Versatility
Defense is at the top of the list when discussing Mitchell’s strengths. He is a versatile defender with great length and instincts. Furthermore, he got stronger in the offseason and grew another inch as well. Therefore, Scheyer can use Mitchell at any forward spot on the court and even center. In their scrimmage, Mitchell defended at a high level. He blocked shots, disrupted passing lanes, and defended the perimeter and the post. His strength helped improve a favorable portion of his game.
Nevertheless, Mitchell will be doing more on the defensive end. His strength and effort will result in success as a versatile defender for Duke this upcoming season.
Quicker Offensive Decisions
Mitchell was a bit inconsistent on offense last season. Nevertheless, in the summer, that has not been the case. He made quicker decisions, used his size effectively, and confidently shot the ball. The key for Mitchell was to have more confidence in his jumper and make his moves quicker. Although he was successful at the end of the season in 2023, his transformation this summer comes from improving his flaws. Moreover, Mitchell experienced ups and downs in his offensive production last season.
Overall, Mitchell got into the gym and worked hard to produce at a high level. His jumper looks more smooth, and his size allows him to get to his spots effectively and rise over smaller defenders.
Why Does Mitchell Need Respect?
Mark Mitchell is slept on because people do not see the improvements he made this summer. His offensive skill and decision-making have significantly improved. Therefore, he is a legit offensive threat for a Duke team that looks to produce an up-tempo offense this season. For Mitchell, gradual improvements helped him look far better than last season. However, his ability to work and adjust his game as the Blue Devils head into next season is essential.
Mitchell deserves respect because he will emerge as a key two-way contributor for Duke this season. Therefore, people will see why he was a five-star recruit in high school.
