Mitchell attended Liberty County High School in Hinesville, Georgia. As a junior, he averaged 24.2 points, 7.1 assists and 2.9 steals per game, leading his team to its first Class 4A state title. Mitchell was named Savannah Morning News Player of the Year.[2] In his senior season, he averaged 23.8 points, 5.3 rebounds and 5.2 assists per game. Mitchell competed for the Georgia Stars on the Amateur Athletic Union circuit.[3] A consensus four-star recruit, he committed to playing college basketball for Auburn over offers from Cincinnati, UConn, Florida, Georgia and Clemson, among others.[4]
College career
As a freshman at Auburn, Mitchell averaged 3.7 points and 1.9 assists per game as a backup point guard to Jared Harper.[5] Following the season, he transferred to Baylor and sat out his next season due to NCAA transfer rules.[6] During his redshirt year, he improved his all-around game and studied film on guards like Kyle Lowry and Jalen Brunson.[3] During his sophomore season, Mitchell was a starter on one of the top teams in the nation.[7] On December 18, 2019, he posted a season-high 19 points, four assists and four steals in a 91–63 win over UT Martin.[8] As a sophomore, Mitchell averaged 9.9 points and 3.8 assists per game. He was named Big 12 Newcomer of the Year, while earning Third Team All-Big 12, All-Defensive and All-Newcomer Team honors.[9]
In his junior season, Mitchell became an improved shooter and passer.[10] He scored a career-high 31 points and seven three-pointers in a 107–59 win over Kansas State on January 27, 2021.[11] Mitchell helped Baylor win its first national championship, recording 15 points, six rebounds and five assists in an 86–70 win against previously undefeated Gonzaga in the title game.[12] He received the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year Award, NABC Defensive Player of the Year award and the Lefty Driesell Award as the top defensive player in the nation.[13] Mitchell earned Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year and First Team All-Big 12 honors.[14] On April 13, he declared for the 2021 NBA draft, forgoing his remaining college eligibility.[15]
On October 20, Mitchell made his NBA debut, recording two points, three rebounds and three assists in a 124–121 win over the Portland Trail Blazers.[19] On March 20, 2022, he scored a career-high 28 points, alongside three rebounds and nine assists, in a 127–124 overtime loss to the Phoenix Suns.[20]