Longhorns F Dillon Mitchell Declares for NBA Draft

Texas Longhorns forward Dillon Mitchell is testing the NBA Draft waters after finishing his freshman season in Austin.

AUSTIN, Texas -- Texas Longhorns forward Dillon Mitchell will declare for the 2023 NBA Draft, per reports Wednesday from ESPN's Draft Express. He will maintain his collegiate eligibility as he goes through the draft process.

Mitchell is the second Longhorn to declare for the draft while keeping open the possibility of a return, joining guard Tyrese Hunter.

He posted a message on social media to officially announce the news himself.

"Longhorn Nation, thank you for giving me the opportunity to live out my dreams," Mitchell wrote. " ... Thank you to my brothers in burnt orange. I'll be forever grateful to have shared the court with you guys. We accomplished greatness this season and it's been an experience I'll never forget. Love y'all."

Mitchell, who headlined Texas' 2022 recruiting class as a five-star prospect headed into last season, started all 38 games for the Longhorns. However, he averaged just 4.3 points and 3.9 rebounds while playing 17.4 minutes per game.

Despite not reaching expectations on offense during his season on the Forty Acres, Mitchell still excelled in an energizer role, providing huge momentum swings with big-time, highlight-reel dunks and athletic blocks on defense.

Mitchell reached double figures in scoring six times this past season, which was highlighted by a 16-point outing in a win over Texas A&M-Commerce on Dec. 27.

It should be a pleasant site for Longhorn fans seeing Mitchell maintain his eligibility, especially considering how highly he spoke of new head coach Rodney Terry after Texas' Elite Eight loss to Miami.

"He's our head coach," Mitchell said. "No matter what his title is, he's our head coach forever. He forever will be our head coach. He should be given everything. ... RT deserves everything."

Mitchell will now give the NBA a shot. And if he ends up returning to Austin, he'll be a vital piece to the puzzle in Terry's first full year at the helm.

---

You can follow Zach Dimmitt on Twitter at @ZachDimmitt7

Want the latest in breaking news and insider information on the Longhorns? Click Here to Subscribe to the Longhorns Country Newsletter

Want even more Texas Longhorns? Check out the SI.com team page here

Follow Longhorns Country on Twitter and Facebook.

Make sure to subscribe to the Longhorns Country Podcast today! Click here To Listen.