A returning starter in the Arkansas frontcourt, Makhi Mitchell had a strong season a year ago after transferring to the Razorbacks program from Rhode Island. One of the most experienced players on the 2023-24 Arkansas roster, what will Mitchell’s second season in Fayetteville now possibly look like?
Arkansas Basketball 2023-24 Season Preview: F Makhi Mitchell
As mentioned previously, Mitchell did not originally begin his collegiate career at Arkansas, but rather at Maryland out of high school, where he was rated as a four-star center from the 2019 class out of Jackson-Reed (DC). With the Terrapins for only the 2019-20 season, Mitchell would start in 5-of-12 games to average 3 PPG and 3.3 RPG that year, and would go on to transfer to Rhode Island of the A-10.
Once at Rhode Island, Mitchell would go on to appear in only seven games during the 2020-21 season due to an injury, averaging 5.9 PPG and 4.9 RPG in limited action. Mitchell however saw what was a breakout season during the 2021-22 campaign, starting in 27-of-31 games to post averages of 9.9 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 1.5 APG, 1 SPG, and 1.4 BPG on 52.2% shooting from the field.
At the conclusion of the 2021-22 season, Mitchell would enter the transfer portal once again, and would take his talents to Fayetteville to suite up for the Razorbacks. Mitchell would play a similar role to the year prior as well, starting in 31-of-36 games to average 7 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 1.1 APG, and 1.4 BPG on a career-high 66.2% shooting from the field.
Now returning for the Razorbacks this season, will Mitchell potentially make the same impact for Arkansas in 2023-24?
Arkansas F Makhi Mitchell 2023-24 Season Prediction: 7.2 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 1.2 APG, 1.1 SPG, 1.5 BPG, 64 FG%, 64.8 FT%
When predicting Mitchell’s potential 2023-24 stat-line, the fifth-year senior is likely to post a similar amount of production to a year ago.
An experienced frontcourt option at 6-foot-10, 240 pounds, Mitchell is likely to start for the Razorbacks once again this season. As to what position that could come at, Mitchell is likely the preseason favorite to start at center, and could rotate throughout the year with the likes of Trevon Brazile, Jalen Graham, and star freshman Baye Fall.
Mitchell should also be one of the SEC’s top shot blockers after ranking No. 5 in the conference a year ago, as well as among the top rebounders for the Razorbacks in particular.
Overall, expect Mitchell to have yet another strong season for the Razorbacks, and to be a key piece for an Arkansas team that should be one of the best in the SEC.