By Kelvin Butler
Goliath David Mitchell is the 6’1 starting Point Guard on the Delta Pioneers men’s basketball team, he averages 13.0 PTS/G, 4.6 REB/G and 3.0 A/G. He was also Freshman of the Year, 2018-2019.
Mitchell graduated from Grand Blanc High School. He’s working toward his Associate of Arts in Communication and then plans on going into the criminal justice field.
Feb. 1, 2020. (Michael Pieper/Creative Director)
Q: Do you remember your first time hooping or playing with a basketball?
A: Not too much. […] I don’t remember it, but I’ve got a picture of [my first time touching a basketball] — I was like 10 months old and I was happy in that picture. And I’ve been happy since then, whenever I got the ball in my hand. My first memory about really hooping, I was probably like six or seven when I used to watch my dad coach players […] overseas.
Q: What made you take basketball seriously?
A: When I saw that I was really good at it — I was better than most kids. I was like, “man this is something I can really be good at.” And it just pushed me more; I mean, who doesn’t like being better than a lot of people? Doing the game, people congratulating you, coming out to you like, “dang, you’re pretty good.” Most of that, like the accomplishments and stuff.
Q: Is there anyone you work hard for?
A: I would say my grandpa and my mom and my dad. The reason I worked hard for my grandpa — he passed away — like, whatever I did, he was always happy. He always wanted to see me succeed; he was at every game.
And then my mom, because of all the things she does for me. I put her through a lot. […] She spends a lot of money on me and I just want to repay her back the favor.
And then my dad, because he spent all this time to train me and get me here. I know he just wants to see me make something of myself — he wants to see me do something good in life. It doesn’t matter if it’s basketball or life; he just wants to see me happy, succeed and become a good role model and father figure.
Q: Are there any players you model your game after?
A: I try to model my game [after] three to four different point guards in the league. I’ll say Russell Westbrook — he’s [got] a dog mentality. He’s stronger than most guards. If he can take you, he’s gonna take you. He’ll get it done. […]
Damian Lillard plays for the Trail Blazers. He’s just a killer, man. He’s underrated but he’s killing it. […] Then I would say Trae Young, because he looks young — like a baby-faced assassin — but he’s out there killing it; everybody respects him. [And] then I’ll say Kyrie Irving. [He] gets it done [and] you know, he’s a good guy. […] I just like his game; he’s smooth.
Feb. 1, 2020. (Michael Pieper/Creative Director)
Q: How would you describe your type of game?
A: I’m a playmaker — I’m best with a ball in my hands. […] I’m like Ja Morant; […] if I need to get a bucket, [or] whatever my team needs, I can pass, score. I ain’t gonna focus myself, just like I ain’t gonna say I’m just a three-point shooter or just a driver; it depends sometimes. […] When I first came here my freshman year, […] I would say I’m a scorer, but now I would say I’m a two-way player like Kawhi [Leonard] offense and defense; that’s what coaches look at.
Q: How do you feel about this year’s Delta team?
A: I feel like we’re coming along. […] The chemistry is a little off — we have a lot of new kids and people transferring and stuff like that. I think we should be straight by postseason; we should be something hard to deal with.
Q: Without basketball. what would you be doing?
A: You know, if it wasn’t for basketball, I really don’t know where I would be. I don’t even know if I would be in college to be honest with you. […] Basketball basically saved my life. Without basketball, I wouldn’t have none of these friends; I wouldn’t be doing none of this, ya feel me? I probably wouldn’t even be at Delta if it wasn’t for basketball.
