Davion Mitchell Selected No. 9 by Kings in NBA draft
Baylor’s Davion Mitchell is now a member of the Sacramento Kings, after he was taken No. 9 overall in the 2021 NBA Draft on Thursday night.
Mitchell was widely considered to be an NBA Lottery pick (representing the first 14 picks of the draft). But there was a disparity in which team he might go. In the end, he ended up with the Kings, who took a Big 12 player in the Lottery for the second straight seasons. The Kings selected Iowa State guard Tyrese Haliburton in 2020.
Mitchell’s NBA Draft prospects picked up steam at the beginning of 2021, as his overall play picked up. By February, he was considered a late first-round pick, and as the Bears made their NCAA Tournament run, Mitchell became a player many considered to be a Top 15 player in the draft.
READ MORE: History of Big 12 Players Selected No. 1 in NBA Draft
READ MORE: Bob Bowlsby Makes Gutsiest Move of His Big 12 Tenure
NBA scouts consider him a combo guard, one that can play the point or the off-guard position.
Mitchell, a 6-foot guard, averaged 14.1 points last season, as he shot 51 percent from the field and 44 percent from the 3-point line. He was named the Naismith National Defensive Player of the Year. He also earned All-Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year Honors, along with selection to the All-Big 12 Defensive Team and the All-Big 12 First Team.
Mitchell and the Bears won the National Championship in April, a first in school history for the men’s basketball program. Mitchell left school early, surrendering two years’ of eligibility, including an extra year related to COVID-19.
Mitchell grew into one of the best overall players in the Big 12 last season. In his third season in Waco (he spent his first on the bench as a transfer), he helped lead the Bears to a No. 2 national ranking for most of the season, a year after helping the Bears reach the No. 1 national ranking for most of January and February of 2020.
The Bears won their first Big 12 regular-season title this season. Mitchell also earned All-Big 12 honors in 2019-20.
You can find Matthew Postins on Twitter @PostinsPostcard.
**Want to win a $20 gift card? Go sign up here and join our conversation! The best poster each week wins a gift card to your favorite establishment!**
