AAU: My Site News: Hoop Planet Allstars' Tony Mitchell commits to Alabama
Monday, August 27Hoop Planet Allstars' Tony Mitchell commits to Alabama
Swainsboro High School rising senior Tony Mitchell, the Class AA Player of the Year, has made a verbal commitment to continue his basketball career at Alabama, Tigers coach Leroy Jordan said. Jordan said the 6-foot-6, 205-pound Mitchell picked Alabama over South Carolina and Cincinnati. "He went up there on an unofficial visit and felt like it was a family atmosphere," Jordan said. "He really liked the team and coaches."
Mitchell averaged 18 points, 10 rebounds and four blocks a game in leading the Tigers to a 24-4 record last season and a spot in the Class AA state tournament quarterfinals. After a good offseason thus far playing for Hoop Planet Allstars of Atlanta, Mitchell has moved into the top-50 recruits in the Class of 2008. Recruiting Web site rivals.com lists him as the 43rd-best senior recruit nationally, and the ninth-best small forward recruit.
"He's got a lot better," Jordan said. "He's very athletic. He can run, jump, shoot and defend. What he needs to do is work on his midrange jumper and keep working on his defense - everybody needs that." Jordan said Mitchell is happy to put the recruiting behind him, although his verbal commitment is not official until he signs a letter of intent during the early signing period, Nov. 14-21. "Everybody was beginning to jump on board for him," Jordan said. "He felt like he didn't want to go back out on the road (without committing). He and his parents are very happy; I'm very happy. He can really concentrate on his senior year."
- Sean Coughlin, Savannah Morning News