Mitchell headed to UVa

On Monday, Charlotte, N.C., prep basketball standout Akil Mitchell learned that his scholarship offer to play at George Washington had been rescinded.

“I was really, really surprised,” said Mitchell, who was considering GW and a host of other mid-majors. “They said that they wanted to watch me some more.”

The very next day, Mitchell’s fortunes changed pretty quickly when Virginia coach Tony Bennett came down to Charlotte. Mitchell thought it was simply a standard visit in which Bennett would chat him up and give him an update as to where he stood with the UVa program.

But then Bennett offered him a scholarship, and it was so long Atlantic 10, hello ACC.

“It was really great,” Mitchell said. “They were really high on my list for a long time. When they offered, it felt pretty good.”

Mitchell, who wound up choosing Virginia over SMU, Liberty and UNC Greensboro, among others, says the combination of athletics and academics is what made Virginia so appealing. Mitchell, a very good student, hopes to major in business.

“I think UVa was his first pick from the beginning,” said Anthony Mitchell, Akil’s father. “When they came knocking and said, ‘We want you to come,’ his eyes just lit up.

“He said, ‘That’s where I want to be.’ It’s [great] when you get your No. 1 pick — not too many people get that.”

The 6-foot-7, 215-pound Mitchell joins Will Regan, Joe Harris, K.T. Harrell and James Johnson in Bennett’s inaugural 2010 recruiting class. Barring any roster turnover, Virginia doesn’t have any remaining scholarships remaining for that class.

Mitchell is a 3-star prospect (out of 5) according to Rivals.com. Mitchell is the only member of the 2010 class not ranked among the Top 150 by Rivals — and that doesn’t bother him one bit.

“That’s kind of how it’s always been,” Mitchell said. “Nobody’s ever given me a chance. I didn’t make our team in middle school and didn’t play my freshman year, so I’ve always played with a kind of chip on my shoulder.

“Coach Bennett told me that he loved my potential and the determination that I have to get better.”

One of Virginia’s big selling points to Mitchell was assistant coach Ritchie McKay. The former Liberty head coach had built a relationship with Mitchell from his days recruiting former Flames guard Seth Curry, the younger brother of NBA player Stephen Curry. Seth Curry, now at Duke, and Mitchell had been teammates at Charlotte Christian School.

“We liked that they’re starting over,” said Anthony Mitchell, when asked what attracted his family to the Virginia program, “and one of the keys to the program was coach McKay. He’s the one who’s been watching the longest time, starting back in 10th grade.

“He really knows and loves Akil. That was the biggest deciding factor — having a coach who knows my son.”

The elder Mitchell, who played some college basketball and spent time playing professionally overseas, believes Akil’s versatility will be a big plus.

“His growth has been dramatic and that’s what coach Bennett alluded to — he just loves the upside,” Mitchell said. “Akil can play the 3 and I think he’s getting quick enough and stronger to the point where he can actually guard some 2s. His shot has really progressed, and he can post up and go down and play some 4.

“I think they got somebody who they can go with in several different directions.”

Mitchell, who is looking forward to seeing his former teammate Curry when Virginia and Duke meet up, says right now he feels most comfortable at the 3.

“I like to create mismatches and take advantage of smaller players in the post,” he said, “and not too many players my size can guard me out on the perimeter.”