Duke’s Mark Mitchell returning for sophomore season: What’s next for the Blue Devils?

Duke’s Mark Mitchell is returning to the Blue Devils for his sophomore season in the 2023-24 season, the starting forward announced on social media Thursday. Here’s what you need to know:

Mitchell started all 35 games he played last season, averaging 9.1 points and 4.5 rebounds while shooting 46.9 percent from the field.
The 6-foot-8 forward was expected to return to Duke for a second season.
Mitchell’s announcement comes one day after Duke forward Dariq Whitehead declared for the 2023 NBA Draft.

Let’s run it back 😈💙 pic.twitter.com/g3X4cu3Ls3

— Mark Mitchell (@Mark_mitchell25) March 30, 2023

The Athletic’s instant analysis:

Why was returning the right decision for Mitchell?

A few reasons. First, and most importantly, it sets him up long-term to enter the NBA in a better situation. Mitchell likely would’ve been a second-round draft pick this summer had he declared — he was not listed on The Athletic’s Sam Vecenie’s latest big board — and as time has shown, that’s a much more difficult path to NBA staying power. By returning, Mitchell will put himself in position to be a first-round pick, which comes with guaranteed money and more concrete usage plans. (Both good things, obviously.)

Obviously, though, that sort of boost to his draft stock hinges upon his continued development. Mitchell started every game for Duke this season except for the team’s season-ending loss to Tennessee — he was ruled out pregame with knee soreness — and should be in line to do so again next season. That should afford him some needed opportunities to improve his offensive skills, which are currently the biggest dings against him in the eyes of NBA evaluators. His jump shot needs serious mechanical work in terms of fluidity and speed of release, and he can continue to improve as a handler and passer. Doing those things, combined with his already-impressive defensive versatility, would make Mitchell a coveted pro prospect, and potentially an All-ACC honoree.

Lastly, for Mitchell personally, there has to be some frustration about how the season ended. Not being able to suit up against Tennessee in the NCAA Tournament — and then watching the man you would have guarded go off for 27 points — is tough to get over. By returning, he should get another postseason opportunity, too, and the chance to get past any feelings of having missed out. — Marks

What’s next for Duke?

This is the third of six key decisions for Duke this offseason. Mitchell joins rising sophomore point guard Tyrese Proctor in returning, while Whitehead has already announced he’ll enter the NBA Draft. That leaves three more decisions: those of Jeremy Roach, Dereck Lively II and Kyle Filipowski.

It seems unlikely, if not impossible, that all three return. In fact, there’s a chance none of them are back at Duke next season; Filipowski and Lively could be first-round NBA draftees, and Roach — the last holdover from his recruiting class — easily could decide to just start his own pro career, likely overseas. But there is still a chance that one or both of Filipowski and Roach opts to return, which would almost definitely ensure Duke starts the season in the top 10. (It may anyway, but a third returning starter from a team that won the ACC tournament would clinch that.) Lively is expected to declare for the NBA Draft in the next week or so, following Whitehead.

As of now, it seems more likely that Filipowski would return than Roach. Given Proctor’s return, and the influx of two more five-star freshman guards — point guard Caleb Foster, and combo guard Jared McCain, who this week won the McDonald’s All-American 3-point shootout — Roach returning for a fourth season would mean a crowded backcourt for coach Jon Scheyer to juggle. — Marks

What Mitchell said

“Year One — ACC champs — we hung a banner,” Mitchell said in a video on Twitter. “We got something bigger in mind. The job’s not finished, and I’m coming back for it all.”

Backstory

Mitchell, a five-star prospect from Kansas City, Kan., joined Duke as part of a loaded 2022 class that included fellow five-star recruits Whitehead, Lively and Filipowski, as well as four-star recruit Jaden Schutt.

Mitchell’s impact on the team was immediate when he scored a career-high 18 points in Duke’s season opener against Jacksonville. He came close to a repeat performance by logging two 17-point games against Iowa and Virginia Tech later in the season.

The forward helped lead Duke to a 27-9 record (14-6 in conference play) and an ACC conference title, the program’s first since 2019. The Blue Devils reached the NCAA Tournament and lost to Tennessee in the second round.

Required reading

(Photo: Rob Kinnan / USA Today)