Sports

Former NY Mr. Basketball headed to Rutgers

By BRIAN LEWIS

Jonathan Mitchell became the latest basketball star to commit to Rutgers and coach Fred Hill. The 6-7, 243-lb. Mitchell was a New York Mr. Basketball at Mt. Vernon and won multiple state titles before going to Florida, where he was a reserve on the team that won the 2006-07 NCAA crown.

Mitchell won a ring despite barely playing for those Gators, then didn’t get quite as much playing time as expected last year as a sophomore, averaging 3.1 ppg and 1.8 boards. Still, after sitting out next season, the small forward will bring big-game experience and a versatile inside-outside game.

He chose the Scarlet Knights over in-state rival Seton Hall; it’s unclear if his decision was based on star swingman Devin Ebanks, who plays a similar position. Ebanks is expected to chose between RU, Memphis and West Virginia after today’s graduation from the St. Thomas More School (Conn.).

The lefty joins a program that already has former Mt. Vernon teammate Mike Coburn, and is bringing in a class that includes St. Anthony’s All-American G Mike Rosario, Boys & Girls F Patrick Jackson, South Kent (Conn.) F Christian Morris, and possibly St. Benedict’s C Greg Echenique.

The 6-foot-9 Echenique is the fifth-ranked center in the Class of 2009, but the Rutgers commit is waiting to hear from the NCAA Clearinghouse if he’ll be eligible this season.