Sam Mitchell: An All-Star Legacy

Early Life and College Career

Sam Mitchell was born in Washington, D.C., on September 2, 1963. He attended Largo High School in Maryland, where he was a standout basketball player. After high school, Mitchell played college basketball at Mercyhurst College in Erie, Pennsylvania. He was a four-time All-American and led Mercyhurst to the NCAA Division II championship game in 1985.

Mitchell's college career was highlighted by his record-setting performance in the 1985 NCAA Division II championship game. He scored 48 points, grabbed 18 rebounds, and dished out 10 assists in a losing effort against Jacksonville State. His performance earned him the tournament's Most Outstanding Player award.

NBA Career

Mitchell was selected by the Milwaukee Bucks with the 21st overall pick in the 1985 NBA draft. He spent the first seven seasons of his career with the Bucks, where he averaged 11.9 points and 5.8 rebounds per game. In 1992, Mitchell was traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves, where he spent the next five seasons. He averaged 15.3 points and 6.3 rebounds per game with the Timberwolves.

In 1999, Mitchell signed with the Indiana Pacers. He played a key role in the Pacers' run to the NBA Finals in 2000, averaging 10.7 points and 4.9 rebounds per game. Mitchell was named an All-Star in 2001, the only All-Star selection of his career.

Coaching Career

Mitchell retired from playing in 2002 and began his coaching career as an assistant with the Toronto Raptors. He was named head coach of the Raptors in 2004 and led the team to the Eastern Conference semifinals in 2007. Mitchell was fired by the Raptors in 2008 and later became an assistant coach with the New York Knicks.

In 2014, Mitchell was named head coach of the Minnesota Timberwolves. He was fired by the Timberwolves in 2016 after two seasons.

Legacy

Sam Mitchell was a well-respected player and coach in the NBA. He was known for his toughness, determination, and leadership. Mitchell was also a pioneer for African-American coaches in the NBA.