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Davion Mitchell Says He Hasn't Declared for 2021 NBA Draft Despite Rumors
April 7, 2021
Baylor junior point guard Davion Mitchell's future with the program is currently up in the air.
Shams Charania of Stadium and The Athletic reported Wednesday that Mitchell will declare for the 2021 NBA draft and hire an agent, forgoing his remaining college eligibility.
However, Mitchell wrote on Instagram that he's going to take time before making an official decision:
"In regards to my decision about the future, I would love to take this week and celebrate the first National Championship at Baylor University with my teammates and coaches. After next week's Victory Parade I will make decisions regarding my future. Please respect my privacy on this matter. Thank you!"
Mitchell averaged 14.1 points on 51.1 percent shooting (44.7 percent from three-point range), 5.5 assists and 1.9 steals for the national champion Bears, who went 28-2 and beat the previously undefeated Gonzaga Bulldogs in the title game.
Mitchell was sensational in the Final Four, scoring a total of 27 points and dishing out 16 assists in a pair of victories over Gonzaga and Houston.
He could look to parlay his tournament performance into a higher selection in the 2021 NBA draft.
Mitchell landed at No. 11 on Jonathan Wasserman of Bleacher Report's post-tournament big board, and the analyst said the following about the 22-year-old:
"Not many 22-year-old guards who are drafted approach star status. Devonte' Graham and Malcolm Brogdon feel like the closest in recent years, and Fred VanVleet (undrafted) is there, too. But Mitchell's breakout feels real.
"Forget the stats. The eye test sees elite-level explosion, sharp dribble moves to separate and shooting skills off the catch or dribble. He makes true point guard passing reads, and there is no question about his defensive effectiveness and its potential to translate given his strong frame, quickness and intensity.
"I'm not sold that Mitchell is the next Donovan Mitchell. But it's become too obvious that he's an NBA player with a valuable archetype as a three-and-D guard at baseline with upside to generate offense out of isolation and ball-screen situations. Mitchell is a legitimate can't-lose pick even if the upside never kicks in."
The 6'2" Mitchell, who started his career at Auburn before transferring to Baylor, enjoyed a vast improvement year-to-year with the Bears. His shooting percentage rose from 40.9 to 51.1, and his points per game increased from 9.9 to 14.1. He was arguably Baylor's best player in the tournament, although a case can be made for Jared Butler, who ended up winning the Most Outstanding Player award.
Still, Mitchell's performance can't go unnoticed, and he would be smart to ride this momentum into the draft while his stock is as high as it has ever been. It would be a tough loss for Baylor if he leaves, but the program was able to win a national title in his final game if that ends up being the case.