Leicester Riders are thrilled to announce the signing of American guard Mike Mitchell Jr. ahead of the 2025–26 Super League Basketball season.
Mitchell, a 6’2” combo guard, joins the Riders following a strong two seasons at the University of Minnesota in the
prestigious Big Ten conference. During the 2024-25 season, Mitchell posted averages of 8.6 points, alongside 2.5 assists per game for the Gophers.
Prior to transferring to Minnesota, Mitchell played two season at Pepperdine University.
As a freshman, he earned a spot on the WCC All-Freshman Team and ranked third in the conference for total assists during the 2021–22 season. Through his two seasons with Pepperdine, Mitchell led the team in three point percentage, shooting a red hot 44% from distance for the Waves, with averages of 10.2 points, 4.9 assists and 4.0 rebounds per game.
Mitchell commented:
“I’m blessed to be able to have this opportunity to come and play for an organisation like the Riders, I’m excited for what the season has in store. I can’t wait to get over to Leicester and meet the fans.”
Mitchell becomes coach Rob Paternostro’s seventh addition to an already exciting roster. He added:
“We’re thrilled to welcome Mike Mitchell Jr. to our club. Mike is a versatile guard who can play on the ball or off it, he brings a combination of playmaking and shooting that should be a welcome addition to our backcourt.
From his early development at Pepperdine to his time competing at the highest level in the Big Ten Conference with Minnesota, he’s shown the ability to impact the game in many ways. He’s a proven 3 pt shooter, both off the catch and off the dribble, and we’re excited to see him take the next step with us.”
Excited to see Mike in a Riders jersey? Secure your 2025-26 season tickets here.
Leicester Riders
Established in 1967, Leicester Riders is Britain’s oldest professional basketball club. They
are the country’s second most successful club, having won 20 titles in the top tier of
basketball in the UK, the Super League Basketball. Riders games can be watched at the Mattioli Arena, Leicester’s largest indoor arena.
Beyond the club’s triumphs on the court, Leicester Riders work tirelessly to make a positive
impact on their surrounding community through the work of the Leicester Riders Foundation. Working with local businesses, charities and people, the Riders invest in Leicestershire to maintain excellence on and off the court.
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About Super League Basketball
The premier professional league in the UK, Super League Basketball, is the newest name on the British sporting scene and ready to make a big impact from the outset.
Featuring men’s and women’s franchises in major towns and cities across the nation, spanning Bristol in the south-west all the way up to Glasgow north of the border, SLB clubs are built on the foundations of strong community programmes, making a positive impact on all generations through basketball.
The League is owned and run by its member clubs, with the board including one director from each club and is administered by a central office. Franchise development is at the fore of the league’s strategic intentions, in order to bring top-level basketball to as many people as possible.
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