Mike Mitchell (basketball, born 1967)

Michael Eric Mitchell (born April 4, 1967)[1] is an American former professional basketball player. He holds an Irish passport and played for the Irish national team in the early 2000s.

This article is about the former NBL and European leagues player. For former NBA player, see Mike Mitchell (basketball, born 1956).
Mike Mitchell
Personal information
Born (1967-04-04) April 4, 1967
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
NationalityAmerican / Irish
Listed height202 cm (6 ft 8 in)
Listed weight103 kg (227 lb)
Career information
High schoolMater Dei (Santa Ana, California)
College
NBA draft1990: undrafted
Playing career1991–2004
PositionForward
Career history
1991–1994Gold Coast Rollers
1995–1996Brisbane Bullets
1997North Melbourne Giants
1997–1999Dragons Rhöndorf
1999–2000Besançon BCD
2000–2004Gießen 46ers
Career highlights and awards

Early life

Mitchell was born in Los Angeles, California,[1] and attended Mater Dei High School in Santa Ana, California.[2] After graduating, he attended Fresno State University from 1985 to 1988 before transferring to Colorado State where he played one final season in 1989–90.[3]

Professional career

Australia

Mitchell was the second overall pick in the 1990 CBA draft before moving to Australia.[3]

Mitchell played in the National Basketball League (NBL) between 1991 and 1997 with the Gold Coast Rollers (1991–94), Brisbane Bullets (1995–96) and North Melbourne Giants (1997).[3][4]

During the 1992 season, Mitchell suffered an horrific injury when he smashed his right arm in anger against a wire-reinforced glass panel of a locker-room door after Gold Coast narrowly lost away to the Illawarra Hawks.[5][6] With his arm almost severed, Mitchell was found slumped on the floor in a pool of blood by Rollers teammate Ron Radliff.[5] Doubt was initially cast over whether Mitchell would ever play again.[5][6]

Europe

Between 1997 and 1999, Mitchell played in Germany for Dragons Rhöndorf. After a seasons in France with Besançon BCD, he returned to Germany in 2000 and played the next four seasons for Gießen 46ers. He was unable to play in the 2004–05 season due to injury and subsequently retired in 2005.[7]

National team career

Mitchell debuted for the Ireland national basketball team in 2001,[8] playing in FIBA EuroBasket 2003 qualification.[1]

Coaching career

Mitchell began his coaching career in 2005, first as assistant coach at the University of California, Riverside for two years, and then as head coach for the Ramona High School boys' basketball team.[3] In 2008, he joined the Chicago Sky of the WNBA as an assistant coach.[3][9][10]

Personal life

Mitchell met his now ex-wife in Australia in the 1990s. She was also American but had Irish heritage as her grandparents were born in Ireland. Mitchell gained an Irish passport through marriage.[8]

Mitchell has two children, Donovan and Myca.[3] Donovan, known as D. J., is also a professional basketball player.[11]

References
  1. "Michael Eric Mitchell". fibaeurope.com. Retrieved October 20, 2012.
  2. "Ex-Mater Dei Standout Mitchell Has Career-Threatening Injury". latimes.com. June 2, 1992. Retrieved September 15, 2022.
  3. "Michael Mitchell". wnba.com. Archived from the original on August 13, 2010.
  4. "Mike Mitchell". andthefoul.net. Archived from the original on March 21, 2016. Retrieved September 15, 2022.
  5. "Self-inflicted injury shelves Mitchell". Ocala Star-Banner. June 1, 1992. Retrieved June 5, 2012.
  6. "Mitchell expects to return". The Albany Herald. Associated Press. June 3, 1992. Retrieved June 5, 2012.
  7. "Mike Mitchell". eurobasket.com. Retrieved September 15, 2022.
  8. "Mike Mitchell". hoopsacrosstheocean.com. October 22, 2021. Retrieved September 15, 2022.
  9. SKY: Sky Names Mitchell Assistant Coach
  10. Chicago Sky Names Mitchell Assistant Coach - OurSports Central - Independent and Minor League Sports News
  11. "Bullets Add Son of a Gun DJ Mitchell". NBL.com.au. June 8, 2022. Archived from the original on June 8, 2022. Retrieved October 3, 2022.
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