Davion Mitchell Named Co-MVP Of NBA Summer League
Aug 18, 2021, 9:46 AM | Updated: 9:59 am
(Getty Images)
(Getty Images)
Mitchell, who was also named to the All-Summer League First Team, was named Co-MVP alongside Brooklyn guard Cam Thomas on Wednesday morning
“Off-Night” is making quite the first impression this summer.
Sacramento Kings rookie guard Davion Mitchell was named Co-MVP of the NBA’s Las Vegas Summer League on Wednesday morning. Brooklyn Nets guard Cam Thomas was also named Co-MVP alongside Mitchell.
Mitchell and the Kings claimed the 2021 Summer League championship on Tuesday night after routing the Boston Celtics by a final of 100-67 in what was an impressive showcase of defense prowess.
A huge part of that defense has been that of Mitchell, last season’s Naismith Defensive Player of the Year for his efforts while playing for the NCAA Champion Baylor Bears. Mitchell was an anchor defensively, creating havoc for players such as 11th overall pick James Bouknight, first-team All-Summer League guard Payton Pritchard and several others.
Over five games in Las Vegas (all wins), Mitchell posted 10.8 points, 1.4 rebounds, 5.8 assists and 1.0 steals per game on 42-percent shooting from the field and an impressive 47-percent from beyond the three-point line.
The one steal per game total is deceiving, as Mitchell created chaos on the defensive end and forces several turnovers each night.
Mitchell was named to the All-Summer League first team as well, joining Boston’s Pritchard, Atlanta’s Jalen Johnson, New Orleans’ Trey Murphy III, Phoenix’s Jalen Smith, Brooklyn’s Cam Thomas and New York’s Obi Toppin.
The future is bright for Sacramento’s loaded backcourt of Mitchell, De’Aaron Fox and last year’s Rookie of the Year finalist Tyrese Haliburton.
There have been swirling reports stating that Kings general manager Monte McNair envisions a three-guard lineup, and after seeing what Mitchell is capable of, I can now see why. Mitchell is a nightmare for his opponent. He can guard positions one-through three and it wouldn’t be surprising to see all of Fox, Mitchell and Haliburton on the floor come closing time this season.
While there still is plenty of work to be done in regards to building a winner in Sacramento, the team is set at the guard position.
By putting on a showcase in Summer League, Davion Mitchell has made it known that he is coming for top talents across the league. It looks like there could be plenty of ‘off nights’ in the future for several NBA guards.
