Joe Dexter
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Mickey Mitchell Deemed Eligible by the NCAA
Joe Dexter via our good friends at Buckeye Battle Cry
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
It’s been a long road for Ohio State wing Mickey Mitchell, who has been awaiting the NCAA’s clearance to start his first year on the hardwood for head coach Thad Matta and the Buckeyes.
At the beginning of November, it seemed very likely that the Mitchell would be cleared by college basketball’s top authority before the start of the season. He had practiced with the team daily up to that point and was anticipating suiting up in Ohio State’s exhibition opener against Walsh.
The clearing process took longer than expected and has clearly been a thorn in head coach Matta’s side as his team closes in on conference play, with just three games left on the non-conference schedule.
It has to be frustrating for a player to be cleared by the Eligibility Center for practice and being a part of the team, but not for seeing action on the floor.
Mitchell is a four-star recruit out of Plano, Texas. At one point during his junior season, he was considered one of the top five players of the 2015 class. Mitchell received offers from many different schools, but stayed loyal to Ohio State when other programs rescinded scholarships after he injured his knee playing quarterback as a sophomore and battled a nagging back injury as a junior.
Mickey is the brother of former Ohio State football commit Mike Mitchell, who transferred to Texas Tech to play linebacker and be closer to his dad, who has battled a neurological disorder that causes cluster headaches — which can be quite debilitating.
Earlier this week, Mike announced that he’ll be leaving Texas Tech as well. It’s unclear whether he will pursue Division I football at this time.
For Mickey, the NCAA has not made it public what has caused his declaration of eligibility to take so long or if there was any investigation of some sort to delay the process. Playing a major role had to be the fact that Mitchell transferred from Plano West to Prestonwood Christian as an 8th grader. He then transferred back to Plano West in high school after hanging up his football cleats.
At this point, you’re probably wondering what type of impact Mitchell can have on the season, especially since he is joined the team late. During B1G Media Days, Matta said he wouldn’t be surprised if the 6’6″ wing would run some point guard for his team.
He is a very athletic play-maker, who also has a knack for finding his teammates. As you can see from the highlights below.
Mitchell did not travel with the Buckeyes to Brooklyn to compete in Saturday’s CBS Sports Classic against Kentucky, but Ohio State officials did confirm that he will join the team and will be suited up to play against the Wildcats.
The post Mickey Mitchell Deemed Eligible by the NCAA appeared first on The Buckeye Battle Cry: Ohio State News and Commentary.
Continue reading...
Joe Dexter via our good friends at Buckeye Battle Cry
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
It’s been a long road for Ohio State wing Mickey Mitchell, who has been awaiting the NCAA’s clearance to start his first year on the hardwood for head coach Thad Matta and the Buckeyes.
At the beginning of November, it seemed very likely that the Mitchell would be cleared by college basketball’s top authority before the start of the season. He had practiced with the team daily up to that point and was anticipating suiting up in Ohio State’s exhibition opener against Walsh.
The clearing process took longer than expected and has clearly been a thorn in head coach Matta’s side as his team closes in on conference play, with just three games left on the non-conference schedule.
It has to be frustrating for a player to be cleared by the Eligibility Center for practice and being a part of the team, but not for seeing action on the floor.
Mitchell is a four-star recruit out of Plano, Texas. At one point during his junior season, he was considered one of the top five players of the 2015 class. Mitchell received offers from many different schools, but stayed loyal to Ohio State when other programs rescinded scholarships after he injured his knee playing quarterback as a sophomore and battled a nagging back injury as a junior.
Mickey is the brother of former Ohio State football commit Mike Mitchell, who transferred to Texas Tech to play linebacker and be closer to his dad, who has battled a neurological disorder that causes cluster headaches — which can be quite debilitating.
Earlier this week, Mike announced that he’ll be leaving Texas Tech as well. It’s unclear whether he will pursue Division I football at this time.
For Mickey, the NCAA has not made it public what has caused his declaration of eligibility to take so long or if there was any investigation of some sort to delay the process. Playing a major role had to be the fact that Mitchell transferred from Plano West to Prestonwood Christian as an 8th grader. He then transferred back to Plano West in high school after hanging up his football cleats.
At this point, you’re probably wondering what type of impact Mitchell can have on the season, especially since he is joined the team late. During B1G Media Days, Matta said he wouldn’t be surprised if the 6’6″ wing would run some point guard for his team.
He is a very athletic play-maker, who also has a knack for finding his teammates. As you can see from the highlights below.
Mitchell did not travel with the Buckeyes to Brooklyn to compete in Saturday’s CBS Sports Classic against Kentucky, but Ohio State officials did confirm that he will join the team and will be suited up to play against the Wildcats.
The post Mickey Mitchell Deemed Eligible by the NCAA appeared first on The Buckeye Battle Cry: Ohio State News and Commentary.
Continue reading...