Kelly Graves Adds Australian Player To Oregon Roster

Henrik Larsen

4 min read

Post on May 13, 2025

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Introducing Lily Mitchell: The Newest Oregon Duck

Lily Mitchell, a 19-year-old point guard from Sydney, Australia, is the newest member of the Oregon Ducks women's basketball team. Mitchell boasts an impressive resume, having captained her state team and earned selection to the Australian Junior National Team. Her accolades include being named MVP of the NSW State Championships in 2022 and consistently ranking among the top assist leaders in her domestic league.

• Position: Point Guard
• Age: 19
• Hometown: Sydney, Australia
• Key Achievements: NSW State Championships MVP (2022), Australian Junior National Team Member (2021-2023), Averaged 15 points and 8 assists per game in her final season of junior league.

"I'm incredibly excited and grateful for the opportunity to join the Oregon Ducks," Mitchell stated. "The program's reputation for excellence, Coach Graves' coaching style, and the team's dynamic playing style were all major factors in my decision. I'm ready to contribute everything I have to help the Ducks achieve great things." This quote underscores her enthusiasm and ambition to succeed in the Pac-12. This international recruit is a testament to Kelly Graves' recruiting prowess.

Lily Mitchell's Skillset and Playing Style

Mitchell possesses a well-rounded skillset that complements the existing Oregon Ducks roster. Her strengths lie in her exceptional court vision, precise passing, and ability to create scoring opportunities for herself and her teammates. While she’s a capable scorer, her primary focus is facilitating the offense.

• Strengths: Excellent ball-handling, exceptional passing ability, high basketball IQ, strong defensive instincts.
• Weaknesses: Needs to develop more consistency in her three-point shooting.
• Playing Style: A true floor general, Mitchell excels at running the offense, setting up plays, and controlling the tempo. Her style is comparable to other quick, crafty point guards in the Pac-12, known for their ability to change pace and dictate the flow of the game. Her presence will enhance the offensive capabilities of the entire Oregon team. Her assists are likely to increase the team's overall scoring percentage.

Compared to other point guards on the Oregon roster, Mitchell offers a different dynamic. While the team possesses experienced players, her quickness and passing ability will provide an added dimension to the offense. This addition of international talent signifies the high quality of Kelly Graves' recruiting program for Oregon Ducks women's basketball.

Impact on the Oregon Ducks' 2024 Season

The addition of Lily Mitchell is expected to significantly bolster the Oregon Ducks' performance in the 2024 season. Her ability to control the tempo, create scoring opportunities, and contribute defensively will be invaluable assets.

• Potential Role: Mitchell is likely to compete for a starting position or a significant role in the team's rotation, significantly contributing to the starting five.
• Addressing Weaknesses: Her skills address the need for a more dynamic playmaker and will directly impact the team's offensive efficiency. Her addition enhances the team's depth at the guard position.
• Impact on Rankings: With Mitchell on the team, the Oregon Ducks are expected to contend for a high ranking in the Pac-12 and compete strongly in the NCAA tournament. The team's chances to become championship contenders will increase.

Coach Kelly Graves' Recruiting Strategy

Coach Kelly Graves has established a reputation for attracting top-tier talent, both domestically and internationally. His recruiting strategy emphasizes finding players with high basketball IQ, strong work ethic, and a good team attitude.

• International Recruitment: The addition of Lily Mitchell highlights Coach Graves' commitment to international recruitment, a crucial aspect of building a competitive women's college basketball program. International talent brings diverse skills and perspectives to the team.
• Why Mitchell?: Mitchell’s skillset, her leadership qualities, and her alignment with the Ducks' playing style likely factored heavily in Coach Graves' decision. Her demonstrated potential to be a key player in the Pac-12 makes her a valuable addition to the Oregon Ducks women's basketball program.

Conclusion

The addition of Lily Mitchell to the Oregon Ducks women's basketball team signifies a strategic move by Coach Kelly Graves to strengthen the roster for the upcoming season. Her impressive skillset, international experience, and enthusiasm promise to make a significant contribution to the team's overall success. This Australian basketball player adds considerable depth to the Oregon Ducks lineup, enhancing the team's chances of success. Her potential to contribute to the team's overall success in the Pac-12 and NCAA tournament is significant.

Call to Action: Stay tuned for updates on the Oregon Ducks women's basketball team and their exciting new recruit, Lily Mitchell! Follow us for more news on Kelly Graves' recruitment strategy and the team's progress towards another successful season. Learn more about the Oregon Ducks women's basketball program and keep up-to-date with all the latest news and roster updates.