Mitchell Robinson

Mitchell Robinson III was born in Pensacola, Florida, on April 1, 1998. A rising star in school basketball leagues, Mitchell discovered his affinity for the game during a period of marked physical growth in the eighth grade that saw him transform from an average-tall 6 ft 2 in to a towering 7 ft 0 in. His basketball career kicked off in earnest at Pine Forest High School, transferring briefly to Landry-Walker College while in sophomore before returning to Pine Forest.

Despite his late start, Mitchell’s stature, athleticism and skill with the ball did not go unnoticed. He first showcased his talents outside of school games during the summer league before his junior year for Chalmette High School where he quickly turned heads. His strength and agility on the court led the Owls to their first state playoff win in close to two decades. Delivering a solid performance, Mitchell averaged 20.9 points, 13.6 rebounds, 8.1 blocks, and 2 steals per game to earn him recognition in all-district, all-Metro, and all-State teams.

During this time, Mitchell joined the Dallas-based Nike Pro Skills on the AAU circuit over the summer, achieving individual honors in the Nike EYBL and steering Pro Skills to the season-ending Peach Jam. Against the country’s top players, he held his own, averaging 15.5 points, 11.6 rebounds, and 4.1 blocks per game. Mitchell’s prominence in the sport continued to grow, gaining him a fifth star in recruiting rankings and securing his position on the All-EYBL second team.

Over his senior year at Chalmette, Mitchell’s stats rose to extraordinarily formidable levels. Averaging 25.7 points, 12.6 rebounds, and 6 blocked shots per game, Mitchell’s exceptional skill with the basketball made him a much-watched player on his team. Beyond his team’s home turf, Mitchell showcased his skills on national stages like the 2017 McDonald’s All-American Boys Game, the 2017 Jordan Brand Classic, and the LHSBCA All-Star game.

Mitchell was initially committed to playing college basketball at Texas A&M University. However, he changed course, following coach Rick Stansbury to Western Kentucky, where the coach had formerly been an assistant. Mitchell’s time at Western Kentucky, however, was brief and tumultuous. After a brief period of practicing with the team, he abruptly left the campus and was subsequently suspended for violating team rules. In a surprising turn of events, Mitchell took a one-year hiatus, forgoing college to prepare for the 2018 NBA draft, a bold and unprecedented decision in the sport’s history.

On June 21, 2018, the New York Knicks picked Mitchell with the 36th overall pick in the 2018 NBA draft. His performance in the 2018 NBA Summer League, during which he set records for blocked shots and offensive rebounds, led to his signing of a multi-year, rookie-scale contract with the Knicks.

Despite an initial struggle with an ankle injury, Mitchell made his professional debut on October 17, scoring two points in a 127–106 win against the Atlanta Hawks. From there, his career soared. He broke Wilt Chamberlain’s league record for highest field goal percentage in a single season during the 2019–20 regular season.

However, Mitchell’s career faced a significant setback during a game against the Washington Wizards in February 2021, when a fractured hand saw him sidelined after halftime. Despite this, he bounced back, re-signing with the Knicks in July 2022 on a four-year, $60 million contract.

Taken cumulatively, Mitchell has broken several records, emerging not just as a formidable player, but also as a trendsetter, becoming the first recruited draft pick to not play for any college, professional, or high school, postgraduate team for an entire year before entering an NBA draft.

Outside of the game, Mitchell’s playing style and skills have had analysts comparing him to some of the greats, including DeAndre Jordan and Tyson Chandler. His ability to block shots, run fast breaks, and score points has positioned him as one of the best players in his class. The fact that his journey is far from over promises an exciting future in the NBA for this trailblazing player.