College - Mercer
During Sam Mitchell’s 13-year NBA career he was held in high regard around the league as a student of the game. When he finally hung up his sneakers in 2002, he went from student to teacher in his new role as an NBA coach. Following two seasons as an assistant coach, Mitchell was named the sixth head coach in franchise history June 29, 2004.

Although the Raptors finished 33-49 in Mitchell’s first season, the campaign under his direction was highlighted by the implementation of a more up-tempo style of play that saw the team’s points per game average increase by 14.3 over the previous season, the third-highest jump in NBA history. He and his staff also oversaw the maturation of second-year forward Chris Bosh into a potential all-star.

In May of 2004, Mitchell was named the lead assistant coach of the expansion Charlotte Bobcats. He assisted them in player workouts and draft preparation during his brief stay. He spent the prior two seasons on the Milwaukee Bucks’ bench, first assisting George Karl and then Terry Porter. The Bucks qualified for postseason play the past two years with Mitchell as an assistant, running his personal playoff streak as a player and coach to eight consecutive seasons.

During the 2003-04 season, the Bucks finished with a 41-41 mark and Mitchell played a role in the development of Michael Redd into a first-time NBA All-Star. Mitchell’s first NBA season as an assistant coach came in 2002-03 when he worked under George Karl, the 13th all-time winningest coach in league history. The Bucks finished that season with a 42-40 mark.

Mitchell split his playing career between the Minnesota Timberwolves and Indiana Pacers. He appeared in 994 regular season games and 59 postseason contests, missing just 40 games to injury or illness throughout his career. He posted averages of 8.7 points, 3.7 rebounds and 1.1 assists. He ranks first all-time in Timberwolves history in games played with 757 and second with 7,161 points, 1,773 free throws made, 2,664 field goals made, 3,030 rebounds and 449 steals.

Mitchell began his NBA career in 1989 as a free agent with the expansion Minnesota Timberwolves. He signed his first NBA contract on Minnesota player personnel director Billy McKinney’s back prior to a summer league game in San Antonio. He played three seasons in Minnesota before being acquired by the Indiana Pacers in September 1992. He returned to Minnesota as a free agent in 1995 where he played an instrumental role in the on-and off-court development of 18-year-old rookie Kevin Garnett, who became the first player in 20 years to be drafted directly out of high school. Garnett has gone on to be a seven-time all-star and is the league’s reigning MVP.

Mitchell was drafted in the third round (54th overall) by the Houston Rockets in the 1985 NBA Draft. Before entering the NBA, Mitchell played in the Continental Basketball Association for three seasons where he helped the Rapid City (S.D.) Thrillers to a championship and also in France’s top professional league for two seasons (1987-89).

The all-time leading scorer at Mercer University with 1,986 points, Mitchell was the Trans-America Athletic Conference (TAAC) Player of the Year as a senior and a two-time All-TAAC First Team selection. He led Mercer to the TAAC championship and an NCAA tournament berth in 1985. He was also tabbed the most valuable player of the annual Portsmouth Invitational Tournament predraft camp in 1985.

Mitchell was born September 2, 1963. He and his wife, Anita, have four children: Morgann and Maya, and twins Rhagan and Rhana. He has been active in numerous charitable efforts through the years, particularly Special Olympics.