High Expectations Fulfilled

On the one hand, there was Navy and Duke. Harvard freshman Ron Mitchell was being courted by Navy--the former home of future NBA star David Robinson--and Duke, where All-America Danny Ferry will lead the Blue Devils to another berth in the NCAA tournament to play basketball.

And on the other, there was Harvard. No athletic scholarship. No national exposure. History? The Crimson cagers have never won an Ivy title or made an NCAA appearance.

"Harvard has an excellent academic program as does Duke and Navy," Mitchell says, "but Harvard offered a good basketball program without the pressure that comes with playing for a Duke or a Navy."

It is the second consecutive year that the Harvard basketball program has snagged a player being recruited by Duke.

Last year, Ralph James, the Ivy League Rookie of the Year, turned down full scholarships offers from Duke and Stanford.

Mitchell cites the more relaxed Harvard basketball atmosphere, in comparison to Duke's, as an integral part of his decision.

"Basketball is going to be a big part of my life," Mitchell said, "but I don't want it to be the overriding factor."

Mitchell was one of the top high school players on Long Island. He graduated with honors from Friends Academy in New York, and on the court he averaged 21 points and 11 rebounds a game. He was the MVP of both the basketball and soccer teams, and was an All-Long Island selection and a Daily News All-Star in basketball.

He played in the prestigious Wheelchair Classic Tournament with such freshman standouts as St. Johns' recruits Malik Sealy and Robert Werdann and Georgia Tech's Kenny Anderson.

At Harvard, he has lived up to the high expectations. He has started every game, in part because of Ralph James' ineligibility to play until this weekend. Mitchell is second on the team in minutes played, averaging 29 minutes an outing, second only to Co-Captain Mike Gielen.

Mitchell leads the team in scoring (13.3 ppg), rebounding (7.3), free throws made and free throws attempted (18-25, 72 percent). He also shares the team high in blocked shots with Malcolm Hollensteiner and Eric Carter.

"Ron has made a very smooth transition from high school to major college basketball," Roby said. "We knew he was going to be an impact player right away, but he's turned out even better than expected."

Mitchell praised Coach Pete Roby's coaching skills as well as his ability to trials and tribulations of being a freshman.

"The coach is a crucial part of playing basketball," Mitchell says. "An insensitive coach can turn you completely off the game, whereas a good coach who helps you adjust can make it more challenging and enjoyable."

Academically Mitchell says that the work is hard, but that it comes with going to a school like Harvard. He plans to be an economics major and is interested in business. He is contemplating a post graduate business education with an MBA. After that, he is considering a career in business or public service.

On the court, Mitchell has impressed his teammates with his tenacious rebounding. Half of his rebounds (22 of 44) have come on the offensive end of the court. He hauled down nine rebounds against New Hampshire and 11 against Vermont.

"He has the instinct," Co-Captain Neil Phillips said. "Offensive rebounding is an instinct--you have it, or you don't; he's got it."

Mitchell has led the team in scoring three times (Lehigh, Boston College and New Hampshire). He scored 12 points against Lehigh before fouling out after only 20 minutes. His most balanced game came against Vermont, where he poured in 12 points and grabbed 11 rebounds.

"He constantly surprises me with his knowledge and his presence on the court," Phillips said. "He has the exceptional ability to understand the flow of the game and make court decisions one would not expect from a freshman."

Mitchell has been consistent on the court. He has scored in double digits in every game.

He has given such a good account of himself that Roby may be hardpressed to bench him when James comes back this week.

"Ron will probably continue to start," Roby said. "He's very versatile and can play anywhere; the fact that he broke into a team of veterans speaks volumes about his ability."

Although the Ivy League season is quite a while off, Mitchell's arrival, coupled with James' return, has boosted hopes that Harvard could win its first Ivy League title this year.