Mitchell makes MPBL splash

MANILA, Philippines — Filipino-American guard DJ Mitchell was supposed to be a one-and-done player with La Salle in the UAAP last season but a back injury prevented what would’ve been a highlight of his basketball career as the Archers won the crown. Mitchell, 24, returned to the US for medical treatment and after eight months, came back here only to find out he wouldn’t be eligible for the UAAP because of age.

With the UAAP window closed, Mitchell explored options and found his way to the Manila Batang Sampaloc SGA camp in the MPBL. It’s a long road from the University of Hartford in Connecticut where he averaged 5.6 points and shot .387 from three in 107 games, including 41 starts, from 2018-19 to 2021-22. He was on the Hartford squad that went to the NCAA D1 Tournament in 2021.

Mitchell said he’s grateful to Manila consultant Charles Tiu and coach Gabby Severino for the opportunity to see action. “I’m adjusting to the physicality and speed of how the game is played in the MPBL,” said Mitchell whose agent is Marvin Espiritu. “I couldn’t ask anything more from the Manila organization, they’ve welcomed me warmly to the family. I’m learning a lot from everyone, veterans like CBC (Carl Bryan Cruz) and Pao (Javelona) and new guys like Didat (Hanapi).” In five games with Manila so far, Mitchell is averaging 10.2 points and 3.2 rebounds while hitting .413 from three and 100 percent from the line. 

Mitchell said he’s inspired by his parents Derohn Mitchell and Monica Alvarez. His grandfather Tony Alvarez, co-founder of US-based Alvarez and Marsal, one of the world’s leading business solution providers, was a La Salle graduate and former jai-alai player who migrated to the US, earned an MBA at New York University and became a widely-respected financial wizard specializing in corporate restructuring, performance improvement and principal investing. 

“I learned from my Lolo the value of hard work,” said Mitchell. “He taught me the importance of getting back up from adversity, like what happened to me with my injury, to never stop learning and improving.” Mitchell’s brother Bryan, 19, recently graduated from high school at IMG Academy in Florida and is studying college options, including playing at La Salle and Stony Brook University in New York. “Bryan is more athletic and a better player than I was at his age,” said Mitchell. The future looks bright for the Mitchells.