5-star Mark Mitchell commits to Duke

Duke has completed its loaded 2022 class with the commitment of Mark Mitchell, a 6-foot-8 small forward out of Wichita (Kan.) Sunrise Christian.

Mitchell is the No. 16 prospect in the 2022 class, according to the On3 Consensus, a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He is ranked as the No. 4 small forward and the No. 1 player in Kansas.

Mitchell joins five-star’s Dereck Lively II, Dariq Whitehead, and Kyle Filipowski, to go along with four-star sharpshooter Jaden Schutt. The Blue Devils now have the No. 1 ranked recruiting class.

Furthermore, the talented wing ultimately chose Duke over UCLA and Missouri. He also received offers from North Carolina, Arkansas, Oklahoma State, USC, amongst others.

Why Duke?

“The relationship with Coach (Jon) Scheyer was the main thing that made me want to go to Duke,” Mitchell said. “I was able to talk to him almost every day and got to know him as a person and as a coach. I think he’s going to be a great coach. Also, the relationship I have with the incoming freshman with Kyle (Filipowski), Dereck (Lively), and Dariq (Whitehead). I went on visits with those guys so I was able to get to know them a little bit and know what they’re about and it’s something I want to be a part of. I can feel the family environment at Duke. The Brotherhood is real, for sure. They love each other. They develop their guys also and get them to the NBA and that’s my goal.”

Mitchell is focused on winning, not NIL

In the world of NIL, it’s easy to get caught up in the money aspect of things. Fortunately for Mark Mitchell, he’s focused on basketball.

“I’m just trying to get better at basketball and win a national championship. (NIL) wasn’t really a factor,” Mitchell said.