Mitchell twins leave Maryland men’s basketball, enter transfer portal

Freshman centers Makhi and Makhel Mitchell have decided to leave the Maryland men’s basketball program and enter the NCAA transfer portal, head coach Mark Turgeon announced Friday night.

“I want to thank Makhel and Makhi for their contributions to the program,” Mark Turgeon said in a statement. “This was a decision we felt was best for both sides and we them and their family the very best moving forward.”

The 6’10 twins out of Wilson High School in Washington, D.C., hadn’t seen much playing time so far in their freshmen season, but provided the team key depth down low.

Makhi, who was a four-star recruit, was averaging 9.33 minutes, 3.0 points and 3.3 rebounds per game, with his best showing as a 12-point performance against George Mason. Makhel was averaging 5.67 minutes, 1.0 points and 2.3 rebounds per game.

“We want to thank Coach Turgeon for the opportunity to attend the University of Maryland,” the brothers said in a joint statement. “We are extremely appreciative of our time in College Park, but decided it was best to seek a new opportunity.”

Now the Terps are left with only one player over 6’8 who has seen game play this season in 6’10 Jalen Smith. Freshman Chol Marial, who stands at 7’2, was recently made active but has yet to see game time following surgery on stress fractures in both legs earlier this year.