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The Orlando Summer League began over the weekend and the action has certainly been enjoyable for those that are even interested. While a number of young players look to compete for roster spots, others look to refine their game and show off their improved skill sets.
For the Boston Celtics, all eyes have been on first round draft pick Kelly Olynyk, who has been dominant early on in this year’s summer league action. Olynky will have no trouble making the Celtics’ roster this season, but what about some of the other prospects on their squad?
Among those in the mix include Fab Melo, Colton Iverson, and Phil Pressey — all of whom will have a legitimate shot to make the team’s roster for the 2013-14 season. But what about Tony Mitchell?
Mitchell is one of the top talents on the team’s summer league roster and he’s been a consistent scorer for the team through the first couple of games this week. That however, shouldn’t come as much of a surprise, especially considering the body of work that he has accumulated within the past year or so. Mitchell, a former Alabama Crimson Tide swing man, was dismissed from the team late last year and ended up finding his way onto a roster in the NBDL. That lucky squad was the Fort Wayne Mad Ants.
Mitchell started off the season a bit slow, but he quickly became one of the league’s top performers. He won the NBDL Dunk Contest and then emerged as one of the leading scorer’s in the entire league around the second half of the season. Mitchell went off for 49 and 47 points on two separate occasions and averaged 21.5 points through 48 regular season games.
Long story short, Mitchell can score and his athleticism is undeniable. His ceiling may be just as high considering he is only one year removed from college, but will Boston give him a shot at the NBA this season? Well, that could rely heavily on his defensive ability.
Mitchell is a talent and the Celtics’ roster is in a flux position as a rebuild in Boston is underway, but we will see if the 6-foot-6 forward can make the team.
Follow Paul Seaver on Twitter: @PaulSeaverRS
