Fort Wayne's Tony Mitchell Named 2013 NBA Development League Rookie of the Year
April 16, 2013 - NBA G League (G League) News Release
NEW YORK, April 15, 2013 - Fort Wayne Mad Ants rookie Tony Mitchell today was named the 2013 NBA Development League Rookie of the year as voted on by the League's 16 head coaches. The award recognizes a first-year professional who most significantly contributed to his team's success during the course of the season.
Mitchell (6-6, 216, Alabama) played in 48 regular season games, 45 as a starter, for the Mad Ants, averaging a team-high 21.9 points to go with 6.4 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.4 steals and 35.3 minutes while shooting 42 percent from the floor and 32 percent from behind the three-point line. His 21.9 points per game was good for second in the NBA D-League.
He led the team in scoring 21 times and was the leading rebounder in five contests. A 2013 NBA D-League All-Star, Mitchell was the only player in the NBA D-League to record two 40-plus point games during the regular season when he scored 47 against the Austin Toros on March 22 and 49 against the Sioux Falls Skyforce on April 5.
"Tony is a talented player and he had a standout first season in Fort Wayne," said Chris Alpert, Vice President of Basketball Operations and Player Personnel for the NBA D-League. "His impressive ability to score, as well as his selection to the 2013 NBA D-League All-Star Game, solidified his position as a top young prospect in our league. I congratulate him on a terrific start to his professional career and look forward to watching him to continue to develop into an NBA-caliber player."
A two-time NBA D-League Performer of the Week selection and March's NBA D-League Co-Player of the Month, Mitchell helped the Mad Ants to the team's first postseason appearance, where he played in two games, averaging 30.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 2.0 steals and 39.5 minutes before the team fell to the Santa Cruz Warriors.
All-Time NBA D-League Rookie of the Year winners:
2011-12: Edwin Ubiles, Dakota Wizards
2010-11: DeShawn Sims, Maine Red Claws
2009-10: Alonzo Gee,* Austin Toros
2008-09: Othyus Jeffers, Iowa Energy
2007-08: Blake Ahearn, Dakota Wizards
2006-07: Louis Amundson,* Colorado 14ers
2005-06: Will Bynum,* Roanoke Dazzle
2004-05: James Thomas, Roanoke Dazzle
2003-04: Desmond Penigar, Asheville Altitude
2002-03: Devin Brown, Fayetteville Patriots
2001-02: Fred House, Charleston Lowgators
* Indicates currently on an NBA roster
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NBA G League Stories from April 16, 2013
- CBS Sports Network to Broadcast Warriors-Toros Matchup - Santa Cruz Warriors
- Fort Wayne's Tony Mitchell Named 2013 NBA Development League Rookie of the Year - G League
- CBS Sports Network to Broadcast Second Round of 2013 NBA Development League Playoffs - G League
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