Mitchell Named AUS Top Defender
(FREDERICTON, NB) Javordo Mitchell, of the UNB REDS men’s basketball team, has been named Atlantic University Sport’s Defensive Player of the Year.
“I’ve been playing basketball for a while and I’ve never won anything, not a ring or a medal or a trophy, until this,” said Mitchell.
The 6’10” center, playing his first season with the REDS, was named among the AUS major award winners on Thursday.
Mitchell’s teammates, Marcus Barnes and Norm Burry were named AUS 2nd Team All-Stars.
Mitchell is the first UNB player to be named the conference’s top defender, an award first presented by AUS in 2004-2005.
“This means a lot, honestly,” said Mitchell. “I’ve put a lot of hard work into this season, and this says I’ve accomplished one of my tasks, one of my goals, to be the best defensive player I can be.”
He led the AUS with 215 rebounds during the 2023-2024 season, 141 of them on the defensive end, which was also a league best.
His 59 blocks led the AUS too and were almost double the second-best total.
“I’m a defensive player first,” said Mitchell. “With my height, rebounds and blocks are what I do, but I’ve got length and athleticism. I’m tall and I’m athletic, but defence is what I do best.”
Mitchell played in all 20 regular season games for the REDS, starting 14 of them.
He averaged 10.8 rebounds and three blocks per game.
“Javordo is a special player,” said REDS’ head coach Joe Salerno. “His ability to protect the rim after shots and rebound the basketball has played a major factor in our team’s success this season.”
“It’s so rare to find a player of his size paired with the kind of athleticism he has,” added Salerno. “He made an impact on our team the moment he stepped on campus and his potential is sky-high. He’s just barely scratching the surface.”
Mitchell says it hasn’t been easy for him to balance school and basketball, but he’s succeeded with the help of his academic advisor, professors, teammates, and Coach Salerno.
“He pushes us hard, but he’s always checking in with us, with me, making sure I’m good,” said Mitchell.
Mitchell says he’s been happy to contribute to the REDS’ success this season.
In an incredibly close Atlantic conference, UNB finished 10-10 and in fourth place, just four points back of league leading STFX.
The No. 4 ranked REDS will face No. 5 Memorial in Friday’s quarter-finals at the AUS Championship tournament, in Halifax.
“We’ve been working collectively, battling and pushing through a lot,” said Mitchell. “I’m happy with where we’re at and I’m happy with this award, but the job is not done yet.”
STORY BY: Andy Campbell/UNB Athletics
FILE PHOTO: James West/for UNB Athletics