To the world, it was “conduct detrimental to the team,” and to the coach, it was something that could not be condoned. So Tony Mitchell, a 6-foot-6 wing player with jaw-dropping athleticism, was suspended from the Alabama basketball team in February. At first it was “indefinitely,” then for the season.
“It was just me being over-competitive,” explained Mitchell, one of the standouts at yesterday’s pre-draft combine staged by the Nets in cooperation with the Rockets in East Rutherford. “I hate losing, and losing got to me. I wanted my team to do better, and it cost us in the end. I apologize for what I did.”
Mitchell, who averaged 13.1 points and 7.0 rebounds as a Crimson Tide junior, said he had an “argument, a confrontation” with Alabama coach Anthony Grant in the wake of a four-game losing streak and the subsequent loss of starting status after a scoring slump. So he looked to the NBA and hoped to put it all behind him. But he still may pay the price.
One scout at yesterday’s combine said Mitchell was “unquestionably” a second-round pick and “maybe a first round if it weren’t for the other stuff.” But teams can’t afford draft mistakes. Most proceed cautiously, though Mitchell shows enough to intrigue.
“As you can see, he’s an elite athlete,” the scout said, shortly after Mitchell wowed the joint with a couple reverse alley-oop dunks. “He’s a slasher, outstanding in transition. And his shot has improved.”
Mitchell was not surprised to hear that.
“I work on it every day — and night,” he said.
Mitchell was pleased with his workout, where he felt he showed all 30 NBA teams “athleticism, my length and energy. I think I did pretty good. I played with a lot of energy and effort showed I can play defense.”
The Nets have the 57th pick in the draft, having dealt their own selections in trades. Their first-rounder belongs to the Trail Blazers from the Gerald Wallace trade, though the Nets will keep it if it is No. 1, No. 2 or No. 3.
* The Nets start a three-day free agent mini-camp today. … General manager Billy King said center Brook Lopez is “doing good” as he tries to come back from foot injuries that limited him to five games. King noted Lopez has “added some muscle, reduced his body fat.”
King is optimistic (“I feel really good about it,” he said) of his chances to keep restricted free agent Lopez along with Deron Williams and Gerald Wallace, both of whom are expected to opt out. “Those are three cornerstones we’d like to build with,” King said.
NCAA Tournament darling Kyle O’Quinn, a 6-foot-10 center from Norfolk State by way of Jamaica, Queens, is excited about having two teams in New York City. “It brings more life to a big city,” he said. “Honestly, I think it’s going to be mayhem, but we’ll see.”