Corey Pegram:
Regional Recruiting Analyst covering high school and junior nationally.
Winston-Salem, NC (Future150) -- Wake Forest got their guy.
Shelton Mitchell, one of the better point guards in the entire 2014 class, pledged his commitment to Jeff Bzdelik and staff on Friday night, giving the third year coach his most significant recruiting win to date.
The 6’3 lead man chose the Demon Deacons over offers from Arizona, South Carolina, Connecticut, Clemson, Illinois, and Missouri, among others. Duke and North Carolina have been showing interest, particularly Roy Williams, who potentially saw him as a Kendall Marshall type, as he had been out to see Mitchell recently.
This commitment is one that Wake needed, and its significance will show in several major areas.
For one, Mitchell can flat out play. Running a team and orchestrating an offense are usually abilities that point guards develop over the course of their collegiate career. Guys with those abilities at the high school level are simply hard to find, but Cuthbertson (NC) has one in Mitchell.
He’s someone that will beat you with vision and feel. His basketball instincts are obvious every time he steps on the floor, and his playmaking abilities make him dangerous on a possession to possession basis.
These qualities alone make Mitchell special, but what separates him even further is what he does for his teammates. Mitchell makes every single one of them better. He’s a director and a connector. His work ethic and competitive streak are contagious, and he knows how to get players the ball in situations where they can make the most of it.
This leadership will translate well to the ACC in two years, and it will also attract other big names to Winston-Salem. Players want to play with point guards like Mitchell because he not only maximizes his own potential, but also helps others maximize their own.
Finally, Mitchell’s commitment gives hope to a discouraged fan base. The Wake Forest program has seen its fair share of rough times in its past three years, but Mitchell is a promising addition that gives them a spark and newfound momentum moving forward.
With memories of Chris Paul and Ishmael Smith still fresh in their minds, Wake Forest fans know what a good point guard looks like. Shelton Mitchell could be the next one in line.
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