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Texas basketball's Dillon Mitchell, Tyrese Hunter leaving Longhorns

Austin American-Statesman

A day after three players from the portal joined the Texas basketball team, Longhorns forward Dillon Mitchell and guard Tyrese Hunter entered their name into the transfer portal as well as NBA draft consideration, the American-Stateman confirmed Monday with a Texas source.

The news doesn't come as much of a surprise. Both Mitchell and Hunter submitted their names into the NBA draft after last season as well but opted to return to Texas after receiving an evaluation from NBA coaches and scouts. Mitchell did not participate in any postseason interviews following Texas’ loss to Tennessee in the second round of the NCAA Tournament, and both he and Hunter indicated earlier this spring that they would likely again submit their names for the draft.

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The 6-foot-8 Mitchell, a five-star recruit in the 2022 class, has started 71 of 72 games over the past two seasons while the 6-foot Hunter has started 71 games in that same span. They helped the Longhorns compile a 50-22 record over the past two years, including a 4-2 mark in NCAA Tournament games.

Texas forward Dillon Mitchell has entered his name into the transfer portal, Texas officials have confirmed. The former five-star recruit has started 71 of the Longhorns' last 72 games over the past two years, helping the Longhorns go 50-22 in that span.

After averaging 4.3 points and 3.9 rebounds and 17.4 minutes as a freshman in the 2022-23 season, Mitchell improved to 9.6 points and 7.5 rebounds in 29 minutes a contest this season. He also developed into an effective defender with the ability to guard multiple positions.

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But he struggled to find a consistent jump shot. He converted 60.2% of his shots in two seasons at Texas, but most came on dunks, put-backs and other shots at the rim.

Hunter earned All-Big 12 freshman honors at Iowa State before transferring to Texas prior to the 2022-23 season. He's averaged 10.8 points and 3.8 assists a game in his career and consistently drew praise from Texas coach Rodney Terry for his perimeter defense.

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Texas guard Tyrese Hunter, right, has entered the transfer portal and also is waiting for his NBA draft evaluation. He was the Big 12's freshman of the year with Iowa State.

The departure of Hunter and Mitchell continued the turnover for the Texas roster. Dylan Disu, Max Abmas, Brock Cunningham and Ithiel Horton have already graduated, and seldom-used Alex Anamekwe, Gavin Perryman and Chris Johson entered their names in the portal earlier this spring.

Terry began rebuilding his roster on Sunday by receiving commitments from several veteran players in the portal. A four-year starting point guard at Indiana State, Julian Larry averaged a career-high 11 points and 4.8 assists for a squad that went 32-7, won the regular-season Missouri Valley Conference title and reached the finals of the NIT. Jayson Kent, a 6-foot-8 wing and Larry's teammate at Indiana State, started 37 of the Sycamores’ 38 games and averaged 13.5 points and 8.1 rebounds in 30.3 minutes. High-scoring guard Tramon Mark of Arkansas averaged 16.2 points and 4.3 rebounds this past season for the Razorbacks.

The portal will remain open until May 1. Terry and his staff are reportedly set to host former Oregon State guard Jordan Pope this coming weekend. They also desperately need some help in the frontcourt with the departure of Mitchell. Returners Kadin Shedrick and Ze’Rik Onyema are the only other two scholarship players at the power forward or post positions.

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