Mitchell was drafted 15th overall by the Cleveland Cavaliers in 1978 and he played there until being traded to San Antonio on December 24, 1981.
It was in that season that he was named to the All-Star team as he averaged 24.5 points and 6.1 rebounds over 82 games. He ranked eighth in the NBA in scoring that season.
After leaving the NBA for good in 1990, he went to the Italian League and played there until retiring from basketball in 1999. He averaged 19.8 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.3 assists over 759 regular season games in the NBA,
“We have a great deal of respect and admiration for Mike Mitchell,” said Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich. “He was a good man who cared deeply about his family and the community of San Antonio. As a basketball player he was a star in Auburn, Cleveland, San Antonio and Italy. At each stop in his distinguished career he was a fan favorite thanks to his outstanding offensive skills and his humble, down-to-earth personality.”
He spent his college career at Auburn and his 996 rebounds is still tops in school history while his 2,123 points is second in school history.
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