Ohio State Basketball: What Mickey Mitchell Will Bring to 2015-16 Buckeyes

Head coach Thad Matta and the Ohio State basketball program landed the versatile forward they needed in the class of 2015—for the second time.

Mickey Mitchell, who originally committed to Matta and the Buckeyes early in the recruiting process before decommitting, announced that he was back in the fold on Twitter.

"

After short consideration, The Ohio State University is the only place for me, staff & players are family. Can't wait to get back! GO BUCKS!

— SOMI JaMITCHELL (@MickeyMitchell0) September 12, 2014"

He decommitted to be closer to his family in Texas, but he still took a visit to Ohio State's campus to watch the football game against Virginia Tech. The combination of the more than 107,000 people in the stands, being on campus with his fellow classmates and future teammates, spending time with the coaching staff and even seeing LeBron James in scarlet and gray must have made an impact.

Now that Mitchell is once again part of the Buckeyes' 2015 recruiting class, it is worth delving into what he brings to the table.

Photo Credit: 247Sports

There is a reason why this is such a critical commitment for Matta. Per 247Sports' composite rankings, the 6'7", 210-pound Mitchell is a 4-star prospect who is rated as the No. 103 player nationally, No. 16 small forward and No. 10 recruit from the state of Texas. Teams like SMU, Baylor and Florida were all in on his recruitment at some point.

When discussing what Mitchell brings to the Buckeyes for the 2015-16 season, we have to look at the rest of the 2015 class that will be hitting campus with him and the roster as a whole.

Matta has accumulated the No. 5-ranked class, according to 247Sports, that features a 4-star commitment at every position except for power forward. While the touted overall class ranking is certainly nice, that type of positional depth in a single class is critical as Matta tries to reestablish Ohio State among the nation's elite programs.

Jared Wickerham/Getty Images

The foundation is really starting to come into place after Mitchell's commitment. His future teammates even suggested as much, via Jeremy Birmingham of Eleven Warriors.

"It's really an honor to have him back," A.J. Harris said. "He's a great player and we need him."

"It's a blessing for our class," Daniel Giddens said. "But we know once you're a Buckeye, there's no going back."

When Mitchell arrives on campus, he will be joined by his own classmates in point guard Harris, shooting guard Austin Grandstaff and center Giddens, but Ohio State will have the members of the loaded 2014 class entering their sophomore years and Marc Loving and Kameron Williams on the roster as well.

Jared Wickerham/Getty Images

Presuming nobody leaves early for the NBA, the Buckeyes will suit up D'Angelo Russell, Jae'Sean Tate, David Bell, Williams, Keita Bates-Diop, Trevor Thompson and Loving, plus the 2015 recruits, for the 2015-16 campaign. That's an incredible amount of talent on that list even if the core players are particularly young.

But Mitchell is a small forward. Only Bates-Diop and possibly Loving and Tate could theoretically fill in there, although it would be somewhat out of position for Loving. Tate is also comfortable playing around the basket and could play power forward in a smaller lineup. That means Mitchell fills an area of needed depth as a true small forward on a team that has a ton of guards and three centers.

His athleticism allows him to get out in transition, which will be critical if he plays alongside Russell and Harris.

Ryan Young/Getty Images

Mitchell is also capable of hitting shots from behind the three-point line if defenders drift off him or double down on the block, and he is a prolific attacker of the basket. He can beat people off the bounce with an array of moves and a quick first step, and he is then strong enough at 6'7" to finish at the rim through contact.

Those same traits help Mitchell on defense because he is quick enough to stay in front of guards or small forwards but lengthy enough to help in the rebounding department, dart into passing lanes or contain bigger forwards.

Perhaps Mitchell's best ability on the offensive end is his passing. He possesses great court vision and a high basketball IQ that would allow him to fill in at point guard if needed. He is more than comfortable running an offense and creating for himself or others.

Mitchell is a versatile player who can score in a variety of ways at a position that Ohio State needed more depth for heading into the 2015-16 season. This is a critical addition to a young roster that is talented enough to make a run at a Final Four or two in the next few years. 

Once again, Matta delivered on the recruiting trail.

Follow me on Twitter:

Follow @ScottPolacek