MBB: Davion Mitchell on Why He Chose Baylor
6-1 200 lb Point Guard Davion Mitchell transferred from Auburn after a freshman season where he averaged 17 minutes, 4 points and 2 assists per game. Mitchell was a top 70 national recruit coming out of Liberty County High School in Hinesville, GA where he averaged 24 points and 6 assists over his last two seasons which included a state championship. Mitchell's recruiting stock rose during the Nike EYBL circuit where he was the primary point guard for the Georgia Stars, averaging 15 points per game against some of the best high school players in the country.
I caught up with Davion while he was catching a flight home from his trip to Waco. Here are the highlights of our conversation.
Davion, what led you to choose Baylor? Tell me about your visit and what nudged you in that direction?
Davion: I brought my whole family on the visit. We all felt at home immediately. The whole staff and the players made us feel welcomed. I liked the Christian atmosphere and the family feel of the school. We all bought in after seeing all the program and school has going for it.
Our message board subscribers are always interested in hearing what you want to study at Baylor. Do you have a chosen path academically?
Davion: I was studying physical therapy at Auburn, but I have always loved math. I want to do something that involves math.
What led to your decision to transfer out of Auburn?
Davion: I loved my time at Auburn. We had a great season and won an SEC championship. The fan support was great. But I prefer to play on the ball as the primary point guard. I think that is where I help the team the most with my combination of speed and distribution. That is what I was recruited at Auburn to do. That was not going to happen the next few years at Auburn with the personnel of the team. I bought into my role and will always do that, but I felt like the best thing for my development and to help a team win at a high level was to be the primary ball handler/distributor.
Baylor has had success with transfers in the past. Most recently, Manu Lecomte sat out as a transfer from Miami and then earned Big12 honors in his last two seasons. Was that a reason for choosing Baylor?
Davion: Yes for sure, I love their track record with transfers and their plan for player development. Their results build up a lot of trust because they have guys sit a year and then excel after sitting and go on to play professional basketball after.
I have to ask you this question. On our message boards, some are concerned about your 3 point shooting percentage at Auburn (29%). But I know that you shot over 40% each of your last two high school seasons from 3 point range and that you shot 36% from 3 during EYBL play. How would you respond to concerns about your outside shooting?
Davion: I think some of it was a function of playing off the ball for the first time and having to make that adjustment combined with the speed and physicality of the college game. I shot much better from 3 in high school and EYBL because I was accustomed to playing with the ball in my hands all of my life and there is a rhythm to that. But either way, I will be working long and hard on my 3 point shooting during my transfer season because I realize this is such a vital part of today's basketball game.
Baylor suffered a down season for them last year but this program is accustomed to not only making the NCAA tournament but making deep runs (four sweet 16s; two elite 8s in the last 8 years). What do you want to accomplish at Baylor on the basketball court?
Davion: I'm very excited about the future of Baylor basketball and the talent and quality of the guys that I will be working with. I want to win a lot of games and championships. And like most D1 basketball players at this level, I have pro aspirations. But I know that will come if I lead Baylor to wins and championships.