Budding star forward Mickey Mitchell has committed to Ohio State, per a number of viable sources and confirmed to Eleven Warriors through a source close to the Buckeyes' program.
The brother of OSU freshman linebacker Mike Mitchell, Mickey is a 6-foot-8, 245-pound wing who can play any number of positions on the basketball floor.
The Mickey Mitchell File
- Size: 6-8/245
- Position: F
- Class: 2015
- School: Plano West Senior High School (Plano, Texas)
- Composite Rating: 5-star
- 247Sports Rank: 4-star
- Scout Rank: 5-star
- ESPN Rank: 4-star
- Rivals Rank: 4-Star
Mickey was one of the country's hottest prospects a year ago, but saw his sophomore season derailed by a torn ACL, which he is still recovering from. He was on campus visiting Ohio State, last weekend, and apparently that was enough to seal the deal for the talented athlete from Plano (Texas).
"He went up to visit the basketball program and to see Mike," Ken Mitchell, his father, told 247Sports. "If you asked me if he would commit, I would have said no. But I talked to him and he said he wanted to."
Despite the obvious familial connection, Mike is not the main reason why Mickey decided to commit.
"But it's that extra gift," Ken told Cleveland.com. "He got up there and realized the legend of Ohio State and what the basketball program has done, and the educational system and how much Mike loves it up there while he's working his tail off."
Mickey began his career at Prestonwood Christian, helping lead them to a Texas private and parochial school, class 5-A title in his freshman year. Before he could attempt a repeat, he suffered a knee injury while playing quarterback.
"He got hurt toward the end of the year with one or two games left, but now he is back and stronger than ever," Ken told 247Sports. "He was going strong and the coaches really couldn’t believe it. He’d been medically released, but he hadn’t played much or had much contact."
With Mickey in the fold, Ohio State's 2015 recruiting class has its second member. He joins A.J. Harris (Dayton), who pledged to the Buckeyes two weeks ago. They still have offers out to Ohio natives Carlton Bragg (Cleveland) and Luke Kennard (Franklin), among others.
Since it's been a year since Mickey has played basketball, Thad Matta and his staff are going off the potential seen in this video:
In his only season of high school ball, Mitchell displayed incredible court vision, handles, passing ability and top-level athleticism. Future150 calls him "probably the most versatile player in the class" and made note of his solid three-point shooting. His high school basketball coach highlighted Mickey's acumen.
"I never seen a freshman like Mickey. He can really play," former Prestonwood Christian coach Chris Mayberry told Prospect Central. "He's so intelligent, his basketball IQ is outrageous. He just understands the game so well."
Mitchell will reportedly transfer to Plano West, where he'll focus on basketball.
