Duke’s Mark Mitchell is returning to the Blue Devils for his sophomore season in the 2023-24 season, the starting forward announced on social media Thursday. Here’s what you need to know:
Mitchell started all 35 games he played last season, averaging 9.1 points and 4.5 rebounds while shooting 46.9 percent from the field.
The 6-foot-8 forward was expected to return to Duke for a second season.
Mitchell’s announcement comes one day after Duke forward Dariq Whitehead declared for the 2023 NBA Draft.
The Athletic’s instant analysis:
Why was returning the right decision for Mitchell?
A few reasons. First, and most importantly, it sets him up long-term to enter the NBA in a better situation. Mitchell likely would’ve been a second-round draft pick this summer had he declared — he was not listed on The Athletic’s Sam Vecenie’s latest big board — and as time has shown, that’s a much more difficult path to NBA staying power. By returning, Mitchell will put himself in position to be a first-round pick, which comes with guaranteed money and more concrete usage plans. (Both good things, obviously.)
