Kings select Baylor star Mitchell with No. 9 pick
The Sacramento Kings have selected Baylor guard Davion Mitchell with the No. 9 pick in the 2021 NBA Draft.
Mitchell, the No. 63 high school recruit in 2017, transferred to the Bears in 2018 after an uninspiring freshman year at Auburn. The decision clearly paid off; after sitting out a season and breaking out as a starter in 2019-20, Mitchell played a pivotal role in Baylor's national championship run this spring.
Thanks to improvements in his outside game - he fired at a 45% clip on nearly five attempts per game in 2020-21 after shooting 31% through his first two seasons - and defensive acumen that brought him National Defensive Player of the Year honors, Mitchell has mitigated some of the concerns about his diminutive stature. He turns 23 in September, though.
Bio
Position: PG
School: Auburn; Baylor
College experience: Redshirt junior
Height: 6-foot-1
Weight: 202 lbs
Wingspan: 6-foot-4
Max vertical:
Strengths
- Perhaps the best defender in the draft; aggressive on-ball and plays smart off-ball
- Strong court vision; unselfish playmaker
- Uses quick first step to create offense
Weaknesses
- Limited track record as dependable perimeter scorer
- Weak free-throw shooter; didn't get to the line often in college
- Two weeks older than Trae Young; potentially limited room for growth