Duke starter Mark Mitchell enters portal as loaded class looms

Duke starting forward Mark Mitchell announced Tuesday he is entering the NCAA transfer portal.

The 20-year-old Mitchell has appeared in 68 games (67 starts) for the Blue Devils over his two seasons in Durham, N.C. He has career averages of 10.3 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1.1 assists.

"I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Duke University and all those who supported me over the past few years," he posted to Instagram. "I am deeply appreciative of the impact this community has had on my life, and it will forever remain dear to my heart.

"Having said that, I have made the decision to enter my name into the transfer portal."

After Monday night's national title game, won by UConn, oddsmakers named Duke as the favorite to cut down the nets in 2025. They potentially stand to lose Mitchell, Ryan Young (eligibility) and Kyle Filipowski, who could enter the 2024 NBA Draft, but are adding the nation's No. 1 recruiting class.

Coach Jon Scheyer is adding a trio of five-star forwards to the roster: Cooper Flagg, ranked by the 247Sports as the No. 1 player in the 2024 class, Isaiah Evans (No. 12 nationally) and Kon Knueppel (No. 17).

Four-star center Patrick Ngongba II (No. 18) and four-star forward Darren Harris (No. 51), teammates at Paul VI Catholic in Fairfax, Va., also have signed letters of intent.

Committed to Duke but yet to sign is five-star prospect Khaman Maluach of South Africa, ranked as the top center and No. 3 overall player in the class, per 247Sports.

Duke finished the 2023-24 season with a 27-9 record (15-5 Atlantic Coast Conference). The Blue Devils advanced to the South Region final of the NCAA Tournament, losing to tourney Cinderella North Carolina State, 76-64.

—Field Level Media