Matt Mitchell is Rebels’ surprise 2017 target

By Mike Grimala (contact)

Thursday, July 27, 2017 | 2 a.m.

On April 26, when Marvin Menzies pulled off the recruiting coup of the decade by adding star prospects Brandon McCoy, Amauri Hardy and Shakur Juiston all in a 24-hour span, it seemed like the UNLV coach had earned a break.

The moves put the Rebels one scholarship over the NCAA limit of 13, so it looked like Menzies was done recruiting for 2017. He even said as much at the time. He could have considered it a job well done, closed the book on the 2017 class and started looking forward to future recruiting targets.

Instead, at a time when the Rebels should be subtracting, Menzies is still busy trying to add. Though UNLV still counts 14 scholarship players on the current roster, the Rebels are actively recruiting Class of 2017 prospect Matt Mitchell.

Mitchell, a 6-foot-6 wing from San Diego, is in town for the Adidas Summer Championships and confirmed Wednesday that UNLV is among the teams recruiting him.

“San Diego State, Utah, NC State, West Virginia, LSU and UNLV,” Mitchell said after scoring 11 points to help his Dream Vision team to a 90-72 win over Team Carroll Premier at the Cashman Center. “Those are the teams that have been in consistent contact.”

Mitchell’s availability this late in the recruiting cycle is a unique circumstance. He was lightly recruited as a junior at Roosevelt High School and ended up signing with Cal State Fullerton in the fall, but it turned out he was a late bloomer. Mitchell averaged 25.4 points per game as a senior and asked Fullerton to release him from his letter of intent so he could reopen his recruitment. The university complied, and now Mitchell is one of the hottest prospects still on the market.

He looked the part on Wednesday. He scored 11 points on 3-of-7 shooting, and he flashed his passing ability by dishing out six assists in 25 minutes. Mitchell also racked up five steals.

No UNLV coaches were present for the game — they were all gathered at Bishop Gorman for the opening-night action at the Las Vegas Fab 48 — but Mitchell said the Rebels have been pursuing him intently, with Menzies handling his recruitment personally.

“Coach Menzies has been calling,” Mitchell said. “He has been recruiting me for the past month and a half or so. He sounds like a good guy. We’ve spoken over the phone numerous times and texted numerous times, and he seems like a really great guy.”

In addition to his smooth passing and disruptive defense, Mitchell would add a sharpshooting element to the Rebels’ perimeter attack. He nailed 40.7 percent of his 3-point shots last season and hit 88.9 percent of his free throws. With those numbers, Mitchell would immediately slot in as one of the best pure shooters on the UNLV roster.

Of course, the Rebels would have to make room for him. Two current scholarship players would have to leave the program before there would be space for Mitchell, but Menzies’ pursuit must mean there’s a chance those scholarships could open up.

It’s not up to Mitchell to balance that equation, however. He’s focused on using the final recruiting period of the summer to show college coaches his well-rounded game.

“I’m just trying to be the best two-way player on the floor and show that I can put my teammates in the best position,” Mitchell said. “It’s about being an ‘everything’ player, being able to score, rebound, defend and pass. It’s an all-around game for me.”

Mitchell used up all his official visits before committing the first time around, so he’ll only be able to take unofficial visits this summer. He said he plans to visit some schools after the AAU season ends, and a decision could come within a few weeks after that.

“The recruiting situation is going really well,” Mitchell said. “I’m just looking for a school that’s looking out for my best interests, that’s family oriented, balanced academically and tight-knit like a family. A team that’s a family will stay together. That’s what I look for in a team and in a university.”

Mike Grimala can be reached at 702-948-7844 or [email protected]. Follow Mike on Twitter at twitter.com/mikegrimala.