Texas Basketball: 3 players ready to stun the world next season

Tre Mitchell, C

A candidate for who could be the most impactful transfer portal addition overall for Beard and the Longhorns heading into next season is the former UMass Minutemen star sophomore center Tre Mitchell. The two-time All-Atlantic 10 Team selection and 2019-20 A-10 Newcomer of the Year was one of the biggest stars among big men to enter the transfer portal this offseason.

There was a point in time this offseason where Texas really needed help to five a true starting five. Mitchell was one of the later additions out of the transfer portal for the Longhorns, and he really solidified this starting unit as one of the 10 or 15 best in the country.

A lot of college hoops fans know how sizable the addition of Mitchell is for the Longhorns. At least that is true once you look at this stat line from the last two seasons at UMass.

But the generic landscape of hoops fans doesn’t know Mitchell all that well yet. That is true for now.

In his last season at UMass, Mitchell averaged 18.8 points per game, 7.2 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.2 steals, and 1.5 blocks. And he shot 51.9 percent from the field, 37.6 percent from beyond the arc, and 76.8 percent from the free-throw line.

Even a slight uptick in that production while playing in the Big 12 should see Mitchell’s star really shine next season. And given the upgrade in supporting cast and the increased floor spacing that will be available around Mitchell next season, it’s very reasonable to think he will become even more productive.

It should almost be a sure thing at this point that Mitchell will be the starter at center for Beard and the Longhorns next season. Having someone as versatile and capable as Disu potentially starting next to him in the frontcourt could only elevate Mitchell too.