Dillon Mitchell's particular set of skills made him a McDonald's All-American

Everyone has a different story. For Dillon Mitchell, the story of when he found out he made the McDonald’s All-American game is fitting for him. Many players who make the game expect it; they have been top prospects for years. They have mobs of fans in every arena and shoe company scouts at every game.

Not Mitchell, the Montverde (FL) Academy senior was not a top 100 ranked player at this time last year. He has had to find his way to get to this point. While he did dream of being named a McDonald’s All-American, the reality of making the game was never fully there.

So when ESPN announced they would be announcing the selections between three and four PM on January 25, Mitchell did not change his daily routine. He and a team manager were in the weight room, getting a lift in before practice. Of course, Mitchell turned the television on, but he did not know what to expect.

“I talked with my coaches, both at Texas and Montverde,” Mitchell told On3 Sports. “They said there was a chance, but they did not know for certain. I was in the gym, and we were getting a lift in before practice like we always do. My phone started blowing up; everyone was calling me.”
For Mitchell, he did not know how to feel. But he also knew the hard work it took for him to get to this point, and he was able to take a minute to realize what he had accomplished.

“It’s a big deal. Ever since I was a kid, it was something I dreamed of. I didn’t think I would be in a position to get there, but I kept my head down and trusted all my coaches.”

Mitchell’s game

Dillon Mitchell is not your traditional superstar high school player. He does not have the silky-smooth jump shot or the tight handle. What he was blessed with is supreme athleticism. He is also a lengthy 6-foot-8.

“His athleticism is elite, even at the professional level,” Montverde assistant coach Kevin Boyle, Jr. told On3 Sports. “We had RJ Barrett here, and he looked really athletic at the high school level; look at him now, in the NBA, and he’s a solid, above-average athlete. Dillon is an elite athlete even at the NBA level.”

With Mitchell, it took time to figure out his game. He knew he possessed a burning desire, deep within, to win, but was still looking for how he could best effect winning for his team.

In the movie ‘Taken,’ Liam Neeson’s character told his opposition, “But what I do have is a very particular set of skills, skills I have acquired over my career. Skills that make me a nightmare for people like you.”

In this instance, Dillon Mitchell needed help molding his particular set of skills over his career. A transfer to Montverde Academy this Fall has done just that for Mitchell.

“The development here at Montverde is something I really needed,” Mitchell said. “You don’t need the ball to go score; if just go out there and play hard, you will make plays. So I like to go out there and make the garbage plays, crashing the offensive boards, defending. They work with you in everything here, especially the fundamentals, and that is so important.”

Boyle, Jr. echos how Mitchell excels, “He has embraced the fact that he can be a top-three defensive player in high school basketball and guard the two through five. Every game we have played, we put him on the opposing team’s best player at those positions. He has brought us so much value in the intangible areas.”

So how does a guy whose skill set is based on intangibles dominate high-level games? This season, Mitchell has gone for 22 points on 12 shots in a win over Hyattsville (MD) Dematha, 29 points on 14 shots in a win over Cumberland (MD) Bishop Walsh, and 29 points Bel Aire (KS) Sunrise Christian.

“I play with effort,” Mitchell said. “Just go out there and play my hardest, listen to what coach has to say to me, trust them—using my athleticism to grab rebounds and finish over people. I use my length to defend; even if you get past me, I can still meet you at the rim. Versatility and playing hard are my best skills.”

Texas

Chris Beard has had success with players in Dillon Mitchell’s mold. Looking through his rosters at Texas Tech, you see one-and-done NBA draft picks like Jahmi’us Ramsey and Zhaire Smith. Tweeners who were explosive and made up for questions about offensive skill with pop and defensive versatility.

“They know I am very versatile, so they are looking to play me all over,” Mitchell said when asked about how Texas would be using him. “Using me as a versatile player, so they want me to work on my post game, back door plays, my face-up game – shooting it and getting by my man.”

On the Texas side of things, they know their prototype. Chris Beard has a system, and he has a style of player who thrives in his system. During July, Beard and assistant coach Ulric Maligi set their sights on Mitchell and knew they had to have him.

Coach Maligi famously went sky-diving to celebrate getting Mitchell’s commitment. A promise he kept to Mitchell during the process.

“The relationship my mom and I had with the coaches did it for me. When I got over there in Austin, the relationship we had developed made me comfortable. That is the biggest thing; when you pick a school, you want to have coaches you can talk to, who will pick you up or that can get into you when you’re having an off day. That is how I felt with coach (Chris) Beard and Coach Ulric (Maligi).”

Mitchell’s prototype

“I’ve heard I play a lot like Kelly Oubre,” Mitchell said. “I watch a lot of Jimmy Butler, how hard he plays, how he defends, how tough he is. I love how grimey he can get, he just wants to win, and that’s all I want to do.”

Kevin Boyle, Jr. has another archetype comparison for Mitchell from his past.

“One of my best friends in high school was Michael Kidd-Gilcrest,” Boyle, Jr. said. “Everyone jokes about the jump shot and everything, but he was the No. 2 overall pick and started for a playoff team in the NBA. His ability to affect the game kept him on the court. Dillon has a similar skill set today, but with far more athleticism and an inch or two taller.”

On3’s take

Dillon Mitchell has elite defensive upside. His quick-twitch way of moving and lengthy 6-8 frame make him switchable across the perimeter. His size, along with his explosive pop and natural timing, allows him to switch down to the block and be a weak-side shot-blocking threat. Mitchell is a better passer than is recognized, and he is an excellent off-ball cutter. His hustle on the boards gets his team extra attempts, and his quickness changing ends gets crowd-pleasing dunks in the open floor

Kevin Boyle, Jr. has been around a lot of talent in his time, coaching multiple lottery picks. However, he still gets caught off guard by some of the things Mitchell can do.

“Is it possible in today’s game for one guy to help on a dunker and recover and get back to a shooter while also being able to move your feet with a guard as he puts it on the floor? Dillon has all of that. With him, it is not about how many points he can give us, but the number of points he subtracts from the other team. He has tireless energy.”