Boston College Athletics
Men's Basketball Preview: The Versatile Big Man
November 04, 2018 | Men's Basketball, #ForBoston Files
Every team wants a player like Steffon Mitchell
CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. -- There's a big difference between a basketball scorer and a basketball player. A scorer has physical tools and can knock down shots from anywhere on the court, often loading up flashy statistics on a box score. A player has something altogether different:Â a burning desire to sacrifice for the team above everything else.
Every successful basketball team needs a great player who can neutralize the great scorer. He is a player who commits to rebounding and defense, who does everything off the ball to erase an opponent's most lethal weapon. At Boston College, that player is sophomore forward Steffon Mitchell.
"We don't need a player like Stef to score a ton of points, but we need him to hit open shots," head coach Jim Christian said. "His floor game is where his value is. He's willing to take on the other team's best offensive player. His grittiness, that all spreads. Every good team in the country has a player like Stef. He's got what it takes."
That doesn't mean the statistics don't come. Mitchell combined a unique blend of size and athleticism to adapt to ever-changing game positions. His unique ability to run and play at the rim made him one of the ACC's best rebounders, finishing the season with 8.3 rebounds per game. The Shakopee, Minn. native also averaged 6.4 points per game offensively, even as it wasn't necessarily his primary task.
"I thought I rebounded really well for a freshman," Mitchell said. "I thought I defended well. I need to pick that up and improve it now, to become a better rebounder and defender."
Mitchell quickly found himself as one of the Eagles' most critical front court components after an injury robbed the team of transfer Deontae Hawkins. After playing 30 minutes in only one of BC's first seven games, he went under the mark only once the rest of the way. He finished three separate games with over 40 minutes through overtime periods, including consecutive 43-minute games against both Virginia Tech and Georgia Tech.
It is a number serving as a tribute to his abilities on the floor. Mitchell found himself often drawing the most difficult defensive assignment, but his commitment to blue-collar basketball buoyed him. His true breakout came against Duke when he helped hold Marvin Bagley III to 15 points on 6-of-11 shooting in 40 minutes of floor time. In a home win against Syracuse, he helped pick up guards Frank Howard and Tyus Battle and was a big part of why the Eagles held both to a combined 13-of-38 from the floor.
"Some people don't realize how hard it really is on any given night in the ACC," Mitchell said with a laugh. "It's hard. You play against (big names), and it's never an easy game. You can win or lose against anyone on any given night. But I saw a little bit of success last year and I want to build on that."
It's easy to forget that Mitchell is just entering his sophomore season and that there's a high ceiling for such a young player. Especially one who can rotate between both forward positions while also playing at the rim as a center. He has already proven that he can play against the strong big men of the ACC and he's already displayed his quickness and athleticism.
"I think it's a huge advantage to be bigger but be able to move really well," he said. "It helps me defensively because I can switch and feel like I can guard anyone (on the floor). I can play on the ball, off the ball and jump with anyone. But offensively, I can go by bigs and jump over the top of guards."
That will enable the Eagles to work Mitchell into the next level of the offense. BC will likely have a shift in identity following the departure of Jerome Robinson and while the shooting guard played in the back court, it will open up more opportunity for anyone who can knock down the right shot at the right time.
"This offense benefits me a lot," Mitchell said. "I feel more confident in what I'm doing, handling the ball and driving or taking open shots. I feel that I can be more all around on the offensive end, rather than just rebounding and shooting threes. I can develop further and do more of what's asked.
"I want to keep playing (at the next level)," he said. "So I know (playing with BC) can get me there if I can keep getting better."
Every successful basketball team needs a great player who can neutralize the great scorer. He is a player who commits to rebounding and defense, who does everything off the ball to erase an opponent's most lethal weapon. At Boston College, that player is sophomore forward Steffon Mitchell.
"We don't need a player like Stef to score a ton of points, but we need him to hit open shots," head coach Jim Christian said. "His floor game is where his value is. He's willing to take on the other team's best offensive player. His grittiness, that all spreads. Every good team in the country has a player like Stef. He's got what it takes."
That doesn't mean the statistics don't come. Mitchell combined a unique blend of size and athleticism to adapt to ever-changing game positions. His unique ability to run and play at the rim made him one of the ACC's best rebounders, finishing the season with 8.3 rebounds per game. The Shakopee, Minn. native also averaged 6.4 points per game offensively, even as it wasn't necessarily his primary task.
"I thought I rebounded really well for a freshman," Mitchell said. "I thought I defended well. I need to pick that up and improve it now, to become a better rebounder and defender."
Mitchell quickly found himself as one of the Eagles' most critical front court components after an injury robbed the team of transfer Deontae Hawkins. After playing 30 minutes in only one of BC's first seven games, he went under the mark only once the rest of the way. He finished three separate games with over 40 minutes through overtime periods, including consecutive 43-minute games against both Virginia Tech and Georgia Tech.
It is a number serving as a tribute to his abilities on the floor. Mitchell found himself often drawing the most difficult defensive assignment, but his commitment to blue-collar basketball buoyed him. His true breakout came against Duke when he helped hold Marvin Bagley III to 15 points on 6-of-11 shooting in 40 minutes of floor time. In a home win against Syracuse, he helped pick up guards Frank Howard and Tyus Battle and was a big part of why the Eagles held both to a combined 13-of-38 from the floor.
"Some people don't realize how hard it really is on any given night in the ACC," Mitchell said with a laugh. "It's hard. You play against (big names), and it's never an easy game. You can win or lose against anyone on any given night. But I saw a little bit of success last year and I want to build on that."
It's easy to forget that Mitchell is just entering his sophomore season and that there's a high ceiling for such a young player. Especially one who can rotate between both forward positions while also playing at the rim as a center. He has already proven that he can play against the strong big men of the ACC and he's already displayed his quickness and athleticism.
"I think it's a huge advantage to be bigger but be able to move really well," he said. "It helps me defensively because I can switch and feel like I can guard anyone (on the floor). I can play on the ball, off the ball and jump with anyone. But offensively, I can go by bigs and jump over the top of guards."
That will enable the Eagles to work Mitchell into the next level of the offense. BC will likely have a shift in identity following the departure of Jerome Robinson and while the shooting guard played in the back court, it will open up more opportunity for anyone who can knock down the right shot at the right time.
"This offense benefits me a lot," Mitchell said. "I feel more confident in what I'm doing, handling the ball and driving or taking open shots. I feel that I can be more all around on the offensive end, rather than just rebounding and shooting threes. I can develop further and do more of what's asked.
"I want to keep playing (at the next level)," he said. "So I know (playing with BC) can get me there if I can keep getting better."
Players Mentioned
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