Southland Basketball: Ranking of 25 best players from last decade ('13-23)

Southland Basketball: Ranking of 25 best players from last decade (2013-23)

By Joey Loose | Aug 28, 2023

Nov 26, 2019; Durham, NC, USA; Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks guard Kevon Harris (1) and Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks forward Charlie Daniels (12) react after defeating the Duke Blue Devils at Cameron Indoor Stadium. The Lumberjacks defeated Duke 85-83 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports /

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ACU’s Kolton Kohl, right, lunges for a rebound as Sam Houston State’s Kai Mitchell Southland Basketball Acu Sam Mbb 2 /

24. Kai Mitchell

A 6’7 power forward from Haverstraw, New York, Mitchell showed his potential at the high school level before heading to Hutchinson CC to begin his college career. After a pair of seasons starring for the Blue Dragons he landed at Sam Houston State, then still in the Southland Conference. He’d join the Bearkats in 2018 and spend his next two seasons as a starter and playmaker in their frontcourt.

Mitchell’s first year at the D1 level saw him show his potential, averaging 12.5 points and 7.5 rebounds as the Bearkats won the regular season title. Saving his best for last, he scored a season-high 24 points at TCU in their NIT loss. He’d take another step forward for his final season, putting up 14.4 points per game in the season ended early by the pandemic. Mitchell had an 18-point, 19-rebound game against UTRGV and a 30-pointer against Central Arkansas, helping the program to 18 wins.

The Southland’s Newcomer of the Year in 2019, Mitchell would then earn First Team All-Southland honors for his senior season. His contributions were felt all across the court, as he was a solid scorer, rebounder, and shot blocker for the Bearkats during those two seasons. He was a valiant piece of two talented Sam Houston State squads in the tail-end of their run in the Southland, and his contributions were certainly important during that 16-2 conference finish in 2019.