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Tony Mitchell to leave Alabama, but to where?

Tony Mitchell

Alabama forward Tony Mitchell (5) takes the ball to the basket as Mississippi’s Demarco Cox (4) attempts to block during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Tuscaloosa, Ala., Saturday, Feb. 4, 2012. (AP Photo/Tuscaloosa News, Michelle Lepianka) Carter)

AP

Tony Mitchell will not be returning to Alabama next season.

Mitchell averaged 13.1 ppg before getting suspended for the final 11 games of the season, which included the SEC and NCAA tournaments. It’s still unclear exactly what happened with him this season, but Anthony Grant has been adamant that the suspension was the result of an accumulation of problems as opposed to a specific event. Reserve Charles Hankerson will be leaving as well.

It’s unclear right now if Mitchell, a junior, will attempt to transfer to another school for his final year of eligibility. According to a report from CBSSports.com, Mitchell still has work to do academically in order to get himself into good enough standing to get eligibile.

“He’s keeping his options open right now,” a source said in the report. “He could transfer or could declare for the NBA.”

If he declares for the draft, there is no guarantee he’ll get picked and almost no chance of going in the first round. Mitchell’s game centers around his athleticism. He’s capable of throwing down youtube-worthy dunk after youtube-worthy dunk, but the rest of his game is still developing. What sets him apart? What makes him worth the risk of using a draft pick on a player that got kicked off his college team?

As far as Alabama is concerned, they will likely have a new look next season. Not only is Mitchell leaving the program, but his former front line mate Jamychal Green will be graduating. That likely means that Anthony Grant will have to rely on his back court of Trever Releford, Trevor Lacey and Levi Randolph next season.

Rob Dauster is the editor of the college basketball website Ballin’ is a Habit. You can find him on twitter @robdauster.