3 new additions that could lead Texas basketball to the Final Four

Dillon Mitchell, SF

Beard and the Longhorns were able to sign one of the most impressive athletes in the entire country in the 2022 recruiting class in the elite five-star small forward Dillon Mitchell. Texas signed a real gem in Mitchell, who should be an immediate starter for Beard and his staff this coming season.

The raw talent of Mitchell is apparent in the fact that he’s even getting some hype as a potential top-five pick in the 2023 NBA Draft Lottery. Mitchell will still need to prove that he can be a high-level wing/forward playing against major conference competition at the collegiate level this season, though.

Moreover, Mitchell will bring a new dynamic to this Texas team on the wing as a high-level athlete that can score off the dribble and use his lengthy 6-foot-8 frame to get to the rim through contact. Mitchell does need to add some muscle mass to his frame, but that should come over time in this strength and conditioning program this summer.

On the defensive end of the floor, Mitchell gives the Longhorns a lengthy and fluid forward that can rebound the ball efficiently and stay with his matchup with some smart off-ball awareness. Mitchell can also use his length to force a couple of turnovers per game, which is often overlooked in his defensive skill set.

There might not be a single other player on this Longhorns team this year that has as much raw talent and potential as Mitchell. If he gels with this team out of the gates during the 2022-23 season, then he will be a force that can take Texas to new heights when it matters most during the postseason.