May 4, 2007

KENNESAW, Ga. - Head Coach Tony Ingle and the Kennesaw State University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics announced that Jay Mitchell will join the Owls basketball program after transferring from Texas Tech.

"We are excited about having Jay in our program," said Ingle. "It says a lot about our program that a young man would want to transfer from Texas Tech to Kennesaw State. It really shows our program is moving in the right direction."

The 6-foot-8-inch, 235-pound forward played one season under Bobby Knight at Texas Tech before transferring to Kennesaw State. Last season, Mitchell played in 11 games for the Red Raiders, shooting 60 percent from the field.

Prior to Texas Tech, Mitchell played a season at Gulf Coast Community College where he enjoyed a solid rookie season. Mitchell shot 58 percent from the floor while averaging 13 points, 10 rebounds and four assists per game.

Mitchell, a First Team All-State selection in his senior year at LaGrange High School, enjoyed a successful prep career. During his final season at LaGrange, Mitchell averaged 24 points and 13 rebounds.

A top prep baseball player, Mitchell was taken in the fourth round of the Major League Baseball Draft by the Colorado Rockies and played three years in the minor leagues before a shoulder injury ended his baseball career.