Skip navigation
Favorites
Sign up to follow your favorites on all your devices.
Sign up

Report: North Texas forward Tony Mitchell to return to school

Tony Mitchell, George Fant

North Texas’ Tony Mitchell (13) shoots over Western Kentucky’s George Fant during the second half of an NCAA final Sun Belt conference tournament college basketball game, Tuesday, March 6, 2012, in Hot Springs, Ark. Mitchell scored 18 points to lead North Texas in their 74-70 loss to Western Kentucky. (AP Photo/Danny Johnston)

AP

In the aftermath of Johnny Jones leaving to take over at LSU, North Texas freshman forward Tony Mitchell nearly left school to enter the 2012 NBA Draft.

According to Jeff Goodman of CBSSports.com, Mitchell will return to school for his sophomore season.

New head coach Tony Benford will have one of the early favorites for Sun Belt Player of the Year back on campus, and the Mean Green are talented enough to reach the Big Dance in 2013.

Benford, who was previously an assistant at Marquette, recruited Mitchell according to Goodman so it’s possible that the prior connection helped Mitchell come to this final decision.

The 6-8 forward played in just 23 games last season but was a very tough matchup for opponents, averaging 14.7 points and 10.3 rebounds per game for North Texas.

The Mean Green reached the title game of the Sun Belt tournament, where they fell to Western Kentucky.

Mitchell’s return puts North Texas right there with Middle Tennessee for preseason favorite status, with the Blue Raiders having to replace forward LaRon Dendy.

Raphielle is also the assistant editor at CollegeHoops.net and can be followed on Twitter at @raphiellej.