The New Zealand Breakers finish off their new signings this season by adding 6’9 American-Panamanian Power Forward Akil Mitchell.
This will be his second outing for a Professional Basketball club outside America after playing 34 games for Olympique Antibes in the LNB Pro A (Top French League). He has had 3 stints in the NBA Summer League and has also played for the Rio Grande Vipers in the NBA Development League (49 games nearly averaged a Double Double).
After a quick look at his game and other achievements, a few things stand out:
- 4 years in College in a good program
- Named to the ACC All-Defensive Team in 2014
- Runs the floor well and fills lanes well when going to the hoop
- Great rebounding positioning
- Looks good defensively
- Could play 4 or 5 in the NBL and would fit nicely alongside Rob Loe
If he develops a consistent outside shot, he can become a vital assest for the Breakers. They really missed a big guy like Wilkinson who could hit 3s, while last season the paint was clogged with Vukona and Charles Jackson playing minutes together.
Mitchell will also bring high intensity play on the court, which they sometimes lacked when Vukona was off the floor last season, so I don’t see them playing much together.
Here’s one of his better games in the NBA Development League from a couple of years ago.
Carl @onpointcarl