Mitchell to Shine in Sun Belt; Hill TX Focus

Mikey Mitchell was the heartbeat behind the Hill (TX) College basketball program for the past two years.

A first team All-Region V selection in 2003-2004, Mitchell has signed with New Mexico State, according to former Hill Head Coach Todd Neighbors.

The 5-11, 170 pound San Antonio, Tex., native was also interested in Louisiana Tech before casting his lot with the Aggies.

Other programs expressed interest, but New Mexico State was willing to wait out Mitchell's academic situation.

If he takes care of business in the classroom this summer, Mitchell should earn his associates degree and be eligible this fall in Las Cruces.

Even if he trips up, Neighbors said that Mitchell would finish up at Hill in the fall and enroll at New Mexico State mid-year.

Mitchell averaged 21.2 points, 5.1 rebounds, 8.6 assists and 3.7 steals per game for the Rebels as a sophomore. He shot 51 percent from the field, 42 percent beyond the arc and 78 percent from the foul line.

"Mikey is very versatile," Neighbors said. "He can shoot the three, he's extremely quick and he's hard to guard."

"He draws lots of attention from the defense, he can get to the basket and either finish inside or dish it off to the open man on the perimeter," Neighbors continued. "I think he will be a better point guard at the next level because he will have better players around him. For us, he had to score a lot more."

Mitchell will have two years of athletic eligibility at New Mexico State.

A pair of Latin American imports -- 6-9 strongman Jose Nava and 6-4 swingman Rommel Colina, are headed to Division II programs in the fall.

Nava, a husky 255 pound center from Maracaibo, Venezuela, will attend Midwestern State in Texas. Nava had signed with New Orleans in the fall, but academics dictated that he go the Division II route.

Nava averaged 10.9 points and 9.5 rebounds per game for Hill in 2003-2004. He shot 59 percent from the floor and 72 percent from the foul line for the Rebels.

Colina, who hails from Caracas, Venezuela, will attend Southwest Baptist in Missouri.

Colina averaged 10.7 points, 6.1 rebounds and four assists per game for the Rebels. He shot 52 percent from the floor, 42 percent beyond the arc and 76 percent from the foul line.

Colina and Nava will each have two years of eligibility at their respective four-year institutions.