Mitchell Earns NWC Student-Athlete of the Week Recognition

By Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director, (503) 370-6110

SALEM, ORE. -- Willamette University junior post Cameron Mitchell (Portland, OR/Grant HS/U. of Redlands) has been selected Northwest Conference Men's Basketball Student-Athlete of the Week for games played between Dec. 15 and Jan. 4. Mitchell averaged 24.5 points and 15.0 rebounds per game to lead the Bearcats to victories over Southern Oregon University and Pacific Lutheran University.

In Willamette's 95-81 win over Southern Oregon on Dec. 29, Mitchell scored 24 points and grabbed a career-high 19 rebounds. He connected on 9 of 17 field goals. Against Pacific Lutheran in Willamette's NWC opener on Jan. 2, he provided the 'Cats with 25 points and 11 boards, while once again hitting 9 of 17 shots. Willamette defeated the Lutes, 88-70.

During the two games, Mitchell was 18 of 34 (52.9%) from the field, on his way to scoring a total of 49 points. He also grabbed a combined 30 rebounds in the two victories. For the season, Mitchell leads the Northwest Conference in scoring with 21.9 points per game and ranks first in rebounding with 12.3 boards per contest.

Mitchell has helped Willamette win five consecutive games, as the Bearcats have improved to 5-3 on the season. The 'Cats are 1-0 in the NWC following their win at PLU.

Willamette's next action is an NWC match-up at Linfield College in McMinnville, Ore. on Tuesday, Jan. 6. Game time is scheduled for 8 p.m. (PST). WU will play its first NWC home game of the season on Friday, Jan. 9 against Whitworth University, also at 8 p.m.