Mike Mitchell (NBA)
Encyclopedia
Michael Anthony Mitchell (January 1, 1956 – June 9, 2011) was an American professional basketball
player in the NBA from 1978 to 1990.
Mitchell, who was born in Atlanta
, played collegiately at Auburn University
. He started his NBA
career with the Cleveland Cavaliers
, but played most of his career for the San Antonio Spurs
. Mitchell was a 6'7" and 215 lb. small forward
with career averages of 19.8 points per game, 5.6 rebounds
per game, 1.3 assists
per game, a .493 field goal
percentage, and a .779 free throw
percentage.
Mitchell was a one-time All-Star, in 1981, and was in the top ten in scoring four times and top ten in minutes played three times. Among other career highlights, he led the Spurs in scoring for the 1984-1985 season. This is significant because this was the only season in which George Gervin
played on the Spurs and did not lead the team in scoring. Mitchell averaged 22.2 points per game to Gervin's 21.2 points per game.
Mitchell averaged 19.8 points per game over the course of his career. His 9799 total points for the San Antonio Spurs is 6th highest in franchise history, behind Gervin
, Tim Duncan
, David Robinson
, Tony Parker
and James Silas.
From 1988 until a short return to the Spurs during the 1990 playoffs
, Mitchell played in Italy for Basket Brescia. He went on to play in Italy, this time for Basket Napoli
, before leaving for Israeli side Maccabi Tel Aviv B.C. in 1991. From 1992 until his retirement in 1999, Mitchell played for another Italian club, Pallacanestro Reggiana
.
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
player in the NBA from 1978 to 1990.
Mitchell, who was born in Atlanta
Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta is the capital and most populous city in the U.S. state of Georgia. According to the 2010 census, Atlanta's population is 420,003. Atlanta is the cultural and economic center of the Atlanta metropolitan area, which is home to 5,268,860 people and is the ninth largest metropolitan area in...
, played collegiately at Auburn University
Auburn University
Auburn University is a public university located in Auburn, Alabama, United States. With more than 25,000 students and 1,200 faculty members, it is one of the largest universities in the state. Auburn was chartered on February 7, 1856, as the East Alabama Male College, a private liberal arts...
. He started his NBA
National Basketball Association
The National Basketball Association is the pre-eminent men's professional basketball league in North America. It consists of thirty franchised member clubs, of which twenty-nine are located in the United States and one in Canada...
career with the Cleveland Cavaliers
Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cleveland Cavaliers are a professional basketball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They began playing in the National Basketball Association in 1970 as an expansion team...
, but played most of his career for the San Antonio Spurs
San Antonio Spurs
The San Antonio Spurs are an American professional basketball team based in San Antonio, Texas. They are part of the Southwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association ....
. Mitchell was a 6'7" and 215 lb. small forward
Small forward
The small forward, or colloquially known as three, is one of the five positions in a regulation basketball game. Small forwards are typically somewhat shorter, quicker, and leaner than power forwards and centers, but on occasion are just as tall...
with career averages of 19.8 points per game, 5.6 rebounds
Rebound (basketball)
A rebound in basketball is the act of successfully gaining possession of the basketball after a missed field goal or free throw. Rebounds in basketball are a routine part in the game, as all possessions change after a shot is successfully made...
per game, 1.3 assists
Assist (basketball)
In basketball, an assist is attributed to a player who passes the ball to a teammate in a way that leads to a score by field goal, meaning that he or she was "assisting" in the basket. There is some judgment involved in deciding whether a passer should be credited with an assist...
per game, a .493 field goal
Field goal (basketball)
In basketball, the term field goal refers to a basket scored on any shot or tap other than a free throw, worth two or three points depending on the distance of the attempt from the basket. "Field Goal" is the official terminology used by the National Basketball Association in their rule book,...
percentage, and a .779 free throw
Free throw
In basketball, free throws or foul shots are unopposed attempts to score points from a restricted area on the court , and are generally awarded after a foul on the shooter by the opposing team...
percentage.
Mitchell was a one-time All-Star, in 1981, and was in the top ten in scoring four times and top ten in minutes played three times. Among other career highlights, he led the Spurs in scoring for the 1984-1985 season. This is significant because this was the only season in which George Gervin
George Gervin
George "The Iceman" Gervin is a retired American professional basketball player who played in both the American Basketball Association and National Basketball Association for the Virginia Squires, San Antonio Spurs, and Chicago Bulls...
played on the Spurs and did not lead the team in scoring. Mitchell averaged 22.2 points per game to Gervin's 21.2 points per game.
Mitchell averaged 19.8 points per game over the course of his career. His 9799 total points for the San Antonio Spurs is 6th highest in franchise history, behind Gervin
George Gervin
George "The Iceman" Gervin is a retired American professional basketball player who played in both the American Basketball Association and National Basketball Association for the Virginia Squires, San Antonio Spurs, and Chicago Bulls...
, Tim Duncan
Tim Duncan
Timothy Theodore "Tim" Duncan is an American professional basketball player for the San Antonio Spurs of the National Basketball Association . The 6-foot 11-inch , 255-pound power forward/center is a four-time NBA champion, two-time NBA MVP, three-time NBA Finals MVP, and NBA Rookie of the Year...
, David Robinson
David Robinson (basketball)
David Maurice Robinson is a retired American NBA basketball player, who played center for the San Antonio Spurs for his entire NBA career. Based on his prior service as an officer in the United States Navy, Robinson earned the nickname "The Admiral". He and teammate power forward Tim Duncan were...
, Tony Parker
Tony Parker
William Anthony "Tony" Parker is a French professional basketball player who currently plays for the San Antonio Spurs of the NBA....
and James Silas.
From 1988 until a short return to the Spurs during the 1990 playoffs
1990 NBA Playoffs
The 1990 NBA Playoffs was the postseason tournament of the National Basketball Association's 1989-1990 season. The tournament concluded with the Eastern Conference champion Detroit Pistons successfully defending their championship by beating the Western Conference champion Portland Trail Blazers...
, Mitchell played in Italy for Basket Brescia. He went on to play in Italy, this time for Basket Napoli
Basket Napoli
Basket Napoli is an Italian professional basketball club that is based in the city of Naples. For past club sponsorship names, see the list below.-History:...
, before leaving for Israeli side Maccabi Tel Aviv B.C. in 1991. From 1992 until his retirement in 1999, Mitchell played for another Italian club, Pallacanestro Reggiana
Pallacanestro Reggiana
Pallacanestro Reggiana is an Italian basketball team based in Reggio Emilia, also known for sponsorship reasons as Trenkwalder Reggio Emilia....
.