2015 Rockdale High School grad Wendell Mitchell is eight games into his junior season with the Texas A&M University basketball team.
“I’m very grateful,” Chuck said. “When I played junior college basketball, it was sort of a step back from the level of competition I was used to at Baylor.”
After graduating RHS, Mitchell spent two seasons at Baylor University before transferring to Trinity Valley Community College in Athens in spring of 2017. In his lone season in Athens, he averaged 19.8 points during the regular season and led the Cardinals to a 28-5 record with a second round appearance in the National Junior College Athletic Association tournament.
“My goal last year was to make it back up to Division I ball,” Mitchell said. “At Trinity, I was coached by a guy named Mark Leslie, who was a point guard when he played.
“(Leslie) changed my game and helped me become smarter on the court. My decision making improved because of his guidance. He taught me how to play my position the best way I could play it.”
This season, Chuck has averaged 25.5 minutes per game and 8.75 points in his first eight games. On Saturday against Texas Southern University, he scored a season high of 21 points, including five three pointers in their 88-73 home loss to the Tigers.
“It’s been great being back at this level,” Mitchell said. “I knew what was expected after playing at Baylor, I just applied that knowledge and it’s helped me have success.”
Mitchell and the Aggies open Southeastern Conference play on Saturday, Jan. 5, against Arkansas. Tipoff is 5 p.m at Reed Arena in College Station.
Velma
Chuck’s twin sister Velma, is at University of North Texas in Denton after two seasons at McClennan Community College in Waco.
“The transition’s been pretty smooth,” Mitchell said. “I’m lucky enough to have some good teammates, and they’ve really helped me along the way.”
After graduating RHS, Mitchell went to University of Louisiana at Monroe. She redshirted the 2015-2016 season before transferring to McClennan Community College in Waco. There, she was named the 2017 Junior College Player of the Year by the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches. Mitchell averaged 17 points in the 2016-2017 season and 14.4 last year.
“Playing at (M.C.C.) improved me mentally,” Mitchell said. “It gave me a chance to grow and become more confident.
On Saturday, she had nine points in a 41-point win over Oklahoma Panhandle State University. On Friday, Dec. 21, Mitchell scored a season high 12 points on four three-pointers in a 71-59 win over California State University at Bakersfield.
“I’m really enjoying everything at North Texas,” Mitchell said. “The fan base is great, and I’m really looking forward to the rest of the season.”
Mean Green begins conference play on Thursday against Louisiana Tech. Tip-off is 6:30 p.m. at the Thomas Assembly Center in Ruston, Louisiana.
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