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| Tony Mitchell is back in the PBA. PBA Images (file photo) |
MANILA--A familiar face marks to return to the PBA as he will be suiting up for guest team Macau in the upcoming Commissioners Cup.
Veteran journeyman Tony Mitchell will now reinforce the East Asian pro club, the third foreign side invited to play in the PBA's mid-season conference following Hong Kong’s Bay Area Dragons and Eastern Long Lions' participation in the same conference in previous editions.
The former Detroit Piston has been staying in the Philippines and has been a regular across Panalay games across the Philippines as of late, having played in various open leagues in Bulacan, Pampanga and Negros Island, among others, before being enlisted as part of Macau’ s roster in the Commissioners Cup.
Prior to his engagement with the team now known as the Black Knights, the 37th overall pick in the 2013 NBA Draft has made rounds in the international pro circuit with stints in Puerto Rico, Venezuela, China, Israel, Dominican Republic, Taiwan, and Uruguay, among others.
He also suited up for two PBA clubs, first playing for the Star Hotshots franchise in 2017 before seeing action for the NLEX Road Warriors in 2019.
During his maiden PBA season with the Star Hotshots, Mitchell had averages of 21.3 points and 14.4 rebounds in 8 games, while adding 2.9 blocks per game.
In his return stint in the PBA with NLEX, Mitchell upped his scoring to 27.3 points per game while adding 12.7 boards and 1.5 blocks in 6 games for the Road Warriors.
His recent overseas assignment was with the New Taipei Kings during the 2023-2024 Taiwan Professional Basketball League (TPBL) season.
In 20 matches for Taipei, the 6’7” power forward notched averages of 11.5 markers and 8.3 rebounds in 20 games.
These days, the 33-year old Mitchell has become a choice reinforcement for various local teams around the Philippines, often hiring his services for short term commercial tournaments which are usually held in the countryside.
He is often seen playing alongside or against fellow foreign talent that have also played in the country before, usually as international student athletes in the local collegiate leagues.
While they may be at par in terms of size and frame, Mitchell’s elite pedigree as a former NBA player has placed him in a class of his own, often dominating his counterparts with ease while showcasing the skillset that made him once a second round draftee in the world’s top basketball league.
Seven-foot-six beanpole Sam Deguara was initially listed as Macau's alternate import, but he instead decided to take his talents to Taiwan.
