Seawolves bolster backcourt with WNCC transfer Diante Mitchell
ANCHORAGE (June 12) – Alaska Anchorage men’s basketball program has added another top junior-college talent its backcourt as head coach Rusty Osborne announced Friday that former Utah prep standout Diante Mitchell has signed a National Letter of Intent to play for the Seawolves.
A 6-1, 195-pound guard, Mitchell was a two-year starter at Western Nebraska Community College, where he averaged 15 points and nearly three assists per game over the course of his career. As a sophomore last season, he averaged 15.2 points, 4.1 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.3 steals, while shooting 51 percent from the field, 41 from long range and 86 percent on free throws. He delivered 10 20-point games as sophomore after doing it six times as a freshman. In 2013-14, Mitchell recorded stats of 14.8 ppg, 3.3 rpg and 3.2 apg, hitting 88 percent from the charity stripe and tallying a career-high 35 points in a win over Cloud County.
Mitchell was also an academic all-star at WNCC, earning the highest GPA among all male student-athletes with a 3.86.
“We are very excited to add Diante to our program,” said Osborne. “He is a tremendous athlete, student, and leader. His strength and athleticism will benefit us on both ends of the floor. He has the ability to shoot the ‘3’ and adds a great ability to penetrate and get to the foul line, where he shoots over 85 percent.”
Mitchell was a decorated two-sport athlete in the prep ranks, capturing Second Team All-State honors for Class 5A after posting numbers of 20.1 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 46% 3FG and 80% FT as senior at Syracuse High School. He also starred for Titans in football, earning First Team All-State recognition as a defensive back and wide receiver.
“Our entire staff was impressed by his maturity and focus,” Osborne added. “He is tough and a competitor, but also puts a high priority on academics, carrying a 3.86 GPA in accounting. We anticipate Diante playing both the point guard and shooting guard position, further strengthening our back court for the next two years. I know our fans will enjoy the way he plays, but also how he handles himself off the floor.”
Mitchell becomes the fifth player to sign with the Seawolves for the upcoming campaign, joining fellow junior transfers Corey Hammell (6-6, 220, F, Santa Rosa, CA/Cardinal Newman HS/Santa Rosa JC), Spencer Svejcar (6-3, 195, G , Arvada, CO/Ralston Valley HS/Laramie County CC) and Tayler Thompson (6-9, 220, F/C, Sonora, CA/Cuesta College), and true freshman Curtis Ryan (6-9, 6-9, 230, Warrnambool, Australia).
--GoSeawolves--
Nate Sagan
Assistant Athletic Director for Media Relations
University of Alaska Anchorage
3211 Providence Dr.
Anchorage, AK 99508
(907) 786-1295 / nate@uaa.alaska.edu
GoSeawolves.com
