"He's a Connector": How Tre Mitchell is filling Kentucky's 21-foot void

With at least two of Kentucky’s seven-footers out for the foreseeable future and the NCAA still deciding the fate of the other, Tre Mitchell is the man in the middle for Kentucky. Thanks to Bob Huggins’ off-the-court behavior, the 6’9″ forward from West Virginia landed in Kentucky’s lap at the last minute, and thank goodness he did. Thus far in exhibitions in Toronto and vs. Georgetown College, Mitchell has excelled as a stretch five. On Friday, he led the team in points (22), rebounds (9), and blocks (3). Included in that point total are four three-pointers, proof of how Mitchell can help the Cats space the floor even after one or more of the traditional bigs return.

Big man guru Orlando Antigua met with the media today to preview Thursday’s exhibition vs. Kentucky State and spoke glowingly of Mitchell, whom he recruited at Illinois, first out of high school, then as a transfer, and again at Kentucky.

“Tre is a young man who I’ve known for a long time. Recruited him three different times and am glad I’m getting a chance to coach him now. He’s a great basketball player but he’s an unbelievable human being.”

Not only does Mitchell provide a veteran presence — which Kentucky desperately needs to help guide the freshmen — but he’s a proven scorer and excellent passer, making it easier for the Wildcats to run the offense through the middle.

“He’s been great for this group as a connector and as a guy who helps facilitate,” Antigua said. “He’s got so many layers to his game. You guys are just getting a chance to see a little of that. His passing, his feel. We’re going to have to find opportunities for him around the basket as well. He’s a matchup problem for guys because of his ability to shoot the ball and his ability to play out in space.”

Subscribe to the KSR YouTube Channel for press conferences, interviews, original shows, fan features, and exclusive content.

Kentucky will adjust frontcourt as needed

Mitchell has developed a lot since he first popped up on Antigua’s radar as a Top 100 recruit in the 2019 class. Mitchell started his college career at UMass, then transferred to Texas in 2021 and to West Virginia last year. He started all but two games for the Mountaineers, averaging 11.7 points and 5.5 rebounds per contest. During Kentucky’s run in the GLOBL Jam, he was second on the team in scoring behind Antonio Reeves, averaging 14.5 points and a team-high 7.75 rebounds per game.

“His hands and his feet,” Antigua said of what first appealed to him about Mitchell. “In high school, he was a lot heavier than he was but he still moved the same way. He still had great feel and obviously, he’s changed his body being in college and continues to have those feels and I think those feels will serve him for many years to come at the next level.”

Kentucky’s rim protection will obviously be lacking until one or more of the seven-footers return; however, against similarly sized teams, Mitchell can hold his own. Against Georgetown College, he had a team-high three blocks.

“I don’t think Tre gets enough credit,” Antigua said. “Obviously, everyone can see his ability to move the ball, to pass the ball, to shoot the ball. He did have three blocks in that game and he’s got great timing, great anticipation.”

Obviously, as Kentucky faces bigger and more talented teams, Mitchell can only do so much as a fill-in five; however, Antigua said the staff is working on alternative solutions for the frontcourt for when Mitchell gets in foul trouble or there’s a mismatch.

“I would imagine that they would try but Tre is a vet, knows how to play,” Antigua said if teams zero in on Mitchell from the start. “If that does occur, we’ll be ready to adjust. You have a guy like Jordan [Burks] maybe playing some backup, which would move Adou [Thierp] over to the four. Sometimes Justin [Edwards] at the four. Then you become really fast and really dangerous. Even if Adou had to play some five, now, it becomes a different kind of a game, two different type of people to deal with.”

Download the On3 Sports App for all things KSR, including breaking news alerts, schedules, scores, and access to KSBoard, our message board.

Antigua on Mitchell’s leadership

John Calipari returned to his old script this season, building a team that will rely heavily on five-star freshmen. Mitchell and Antonio Reeves will play integral roles even after the freshmen find their footing, but over the next few months, their production and leadership are essential. So far, Antigua is pleased with how Mitchell is responding to that challenge.

“He does [take on a leadership role]. He takes a quiet role with them, he doesn’t say much to them unless he has to and when he does, they listen. If they’re getting a little goofy and there are times [they need to stop], he’ll tap them. Those kinds of subtle things that a veteran does. We kind of enjoy that.”

“Both he and Antonio are going to be asked to shoulder a lot early on as these guys get acclimated to playing at this level with these expectations, this intensity, those guys are going to be asked to shoulder a lot until they can get up to speed.”

Got thoughts? Continue the conversation on KSBoard, the KSR Message Board. New members can try 1 month for $1.