Baylor Basketball: Re-ranking the top 20 Bear players from 2000-21
By Andrew Tineo
3. Davion Mitchell PG (2019-2021)
Quite possibly, the biggest jump and misevaluation on this list deservedly does to Davion Mitchell. Back in November, he barely missed the cut but had the potential to be on the list with a solid season. Racking up numerous awards, All-American recognition, and a national championship will surely help Mitchell’s case of being among the best to come through the program.
After tallying 9.9 points, 3.8 assists, on 32% from beyond the arc his sophomore year, Mitchell’s numbers escalated the next. The former Auburn transfer took hold of the reigns and led among the most dynamic offenses and defenses of the 2020-2021 season.
After leading Baylor to a Big 12 title, Mitchell averaged 14 points and 5.5 assists per game on an astronomical 44.7% display from the three-point line. Mitchell averaged 1.9 steals per game, which ranked third in the conference, alongside conference-leading 165 total assists on the season.
In the NCAA Tournament, Mitchell scored in double figures in all six games, to go with 11 assists in the National Semifinal against the University of Houston.
Mitchell was named NABC Defensive Player of the Year in 2021, after being a finalist for the award the year prior.
Mitchell was named to the All-Big 12 list and added Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year to his accolades. He was named to the NCAA All-Tourney team and finished with 15 points, six rebounds, and five assists in his final game in a Baylor uniform, defeating Gonzaga 86-70 in the National Championship game.
Mitchell’s combo of tenacious defense and extreme quickness to get to the basket is uncanny. Not many Davion Mitchell’s come around and due to his spectacular Junior season, is among one of the best Baylor Bears over the past two decades.
If you have a nickname of “Offnight”, you must deliver. Game in and game out, Mitchell made it extremely difficult for the opposing team’s best player to score. When you can impact a game in that kind of way in some cases, completely eliminating the team’s best player, that significantly helps your team. Baylor did plenty of that in Mitchell’s tenure, finishing with a 54-6 record.
Davion Mitchell Baylor 2020-21 Full Season Highlights | 14 PPG 5.5 APG 51.1 FG%, Naismith DPOY! – YouTube