Ron Everhart didn’t waste much time when it came to a decision on Robert Mitchell. It was swift, it was stern, and looking back on it three years later, it was smart.
Six months after being named the Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Year, Mitchell was granted a scholarship release by Everhart, the Duquesne coach who watched the Brooklyn native average 16.4 points per game.
Mitchell seemed, on the court, like such a success story at the Pittsburgh school. In fact, he was just the second Duke to win the league’s rookie honor.
But, away from the games, it was a different story. Mitchell wasn’t the practice player Everhart demanded. In fact, he was suspended one game for conduct detrimental to the team. In the end, just as the team was preparing for a 2007 summer exhibition tour in Canada, Everhart and Mitchell agreed to part ways.
“It was time to move on,” Everhart said.
The Dukes, whose season ended Wednesday with a 65-51 loss at Princeton in the CBI, have posted three winning seasons since. Mitchell, meanwhile, also fell out of favor at his new home, Seton Hall. His career there ultimately came to an end this week, when he was arrested on charges of robbing eight people at gunpoint.
Yesterday, Mitchell appeared in Newark court via video conference, with his attorney entering a not-guilty plea. He is held on $650,000 bail. Police officials say Mitchell stole credit cards, cell phones, cameras and about $300 cash.
Mitchell, who was scheduled to graduate in May from the South Orange school, was dismissed from the Pirates by coach Bobby Gonzalez on Sunday. Gonzalez, four days later, was dismissed as well.