Recruiting Report: Mitchell Kershner (2019)
Although the recruitment process hasn’t hit full-speed quite yet for Olentangy Liberty 6’3” guard/wing Mitchell Kershner (2019), it’s obvious that his search will be limited to high-academic universities.
“It’s a 4.4 right now,” Kershner said when asked about his accumulative GPA. He continued, “The last [ACT], I got a 34 on it.”
Those numbers are more important than 3-point shooting percentage, steals, and points per game for Kershner and his family.
“I’ve talked with my parents a lot and it all starts with education. I want a good school that can give me what I want education wise and also allows me to play basketball,” Kershner said. “I’ve been looking into engineering or some type of medical field.”
Capital is the only school Kershner has spoken with directly. However, his coach with Nova Village, Chris Russell, mentioned that John Hopkins and Washington University in St. Louis have Kershner on their radar.
Kershner not only dedicates himself in the classroom, but also on the court. Russell referred to Kershner as the “consummate teammate” and said he feels equally comfortable playing him on a quick 5’9” point guard as he does a physical 6’7” post. His combination of effort, intelligence, toughness, athleticism, and length on the defensive side separates him.
“I’m an all-around team player. Good defender that can guard almost anyone on the court. Kind of a spot-up shooter on the wings and I can drive and kick to find open teammates. And all around just kind of a tough player,” Kershner said.
Russell told us a story of Kershner breaking his nose this past summer in Atlanta during their A.M. game. Blood poured out of his nose and he was taken to the hospital immediately. But, to nobody on his team’s surprise, Kershner was back in the lineup by the afternoon.
His grassroots coach raved about Kershner’s intangibles and toughness throughout the conversation, saying that he believes coaches at all levels will love his approach to the game.
Kershner is hoping to make an impression on those very coaches this coming summer.
“One of my primary goals this offseason and going into AAU is trying to get more involved with that and getting more on the scene,” Kershner said of recruiting.
Already a reliable catch-and-shoot weapon, Kershner is looking to package a driving game with his jumper.
“Really been trying to improve on my slashing. Driving to the bucket, being stronger on drives and finishing through contact. I’ve been trying to add that to my game lately,” Kershner said.
If you want to stay ahead of the curve on what will certainly be a busy summer for Kerhsner, coaches can see him this Friday against Westerville South.