This former basketball prospect for KU is leaving to move to another prestigious university.
The Kansas basketball team is facing a pressing need for a forward from the transfer portal following the departure of Kevin McCullar due to graduation and the potential departure of Johnny Furphy to the NBA Draft. With a couple of roster spots expected to become available in the coming weeks, Bill Self and his coaching staff have a significant task ahead, especially now that the NCAA dead period has ended.
One transfer stands out as a particularly logical choice for the Jayhawks. This player is a native of Kansas City who was previously recruited by KU out of high school before ultimately choosing Duke. The question now arises: could this Duke transfer make the transition from one prestigious basketball program to another?
Kansas Jayhawks could pursue a player they were once interested in
Mark Mitchell, a highly sought-after recruit from Sunrise Christian with a 5-star rating, drew significant attention from KU’s coaching staff due to his local ties. Despite visiting the campus, he ultimately chose to spend two seasons at Duke.
Now entering the transfer portal with two years of eligibility remaining, Mitchell is poised to attract interest from top programs nationwide. During his time with the Blue Devils, he posted solid averages of 10.3 points, 5.2 rebounds, 1.1 assists, and 0.4 3-pointers made per game, showcasing his scoring efficiency with shooting splits of 50.5%/31.9%/67.5%.
Known for his physicality and athleticism, Mitchell excels at finishing strong around the basket and has improved his post-scoring since his freshman year. He’s a gritty defender who embraces contact, though his perimeter game is a bit limited on both ends of the floor.
Mitchell is familiar with the Kansas area and could draw interest from local schools like Mizzou, where he visited in 2021. Having been a regular starter at Duke, he’s likely to see a similar workload elsewhere.
While not a perfect fit for outside shooting, Mitchell’s versatility on defense aligns with the type of player the Jayhawks typically target. If Coach Self intends to adjust KJ Adams’ role next season, Mitchell could form a strong tandem with him, sharing minutes at the power forward position.