The most recent member of the 2015-16 University of South Alabama Men's Basketball signing class, Trhae Mitchell joined the program in June from Pebblebrook High School in Mableton, Ga. He spoke with USAJaguars.com and discussed why he chose South Alabama and who his biggest influence is.

When did you start playing basketball?
I played football my whole life, then when I got to high school, the basketball coach saw me, asked me if I wanted to play. I quit playing football and started playing basketball. I'm still learning the game—I know a lot of stuff but I'm trying to get my basketball IQ higher.

Take me through your journey to get to South Alabama
I started getting good at basketball in 10th grade. I started to get recruited then, but I broke my ankle that year so I couldn't play AAU ball. My recruitment went down after that but in 11th grade I came back strong and had a pretty good year and had a good senior year too. (South Alabama assistant coach) Russ (Willemsen) came to see me last year and we kept in touch ever since.

Why did you choose South Alabama?
It felt like home. I like the coaches—they're pretty cool. My teammates were cool and it was a nice campus. I wanted a home feeling and to stay in the South. I wanted good teammates and coaches that would push me—just make me a better person and player.

How would you describe your playing style?
I can guard 1-4 positions—I like to play defense. I'm a good rebounder and I can handle the ball, stretch the floor and shoot. I can do a lot of different things.

What do you consider to be the strongest part of your game?
My defense. I pride myself on my defense. I like to get in other people's chests. I know a lot of people don't like to play defense—everybody worries about scoring, but I feel like I can make a bigger impact on defense than offense.

What do you try to accomplish during the offseason workouts?
Just getting better and putting up more shots. I want to stay fit so I concentrate on my conditioning.

What part of your game are you working on the most leading up to next season?
My shot—getting it up on my right side because I shoot on the left side. I try to shoot like Kevin Durant but I have to change that.

What do you enjoy the most of the game of basketball?
My teammates and having fun. We're all here for one goal: to win. We all go through the same struggles together. The unity of a team.

Who has had the biggest influence on your basketball life?
My high school coach, George Washington. He's the one that got me off the football field. He showed me the game and taught me everything I know. He's like a second father to me. He did everything for me and my teammates. He took us to all the camps to get us exposure, put us on AAU teams and even fed us sometimes.

What do you expect of yourself this season?
To come in and make an immediate impact, by going out and playing hard, bringing toughness and playing defense.

What assistant coach recruited you and what was your relationship like during that process?
Russ Willemsen. He was a pretty cool guy. We would text a lot. It started my junior year. When I came on my visit, we sat down and talked a lot, so we got closer during that time.

What professional player do you try to model your game after?
Trevor Ariza, mostly because of his mid-range jumpshot. A lot of players in the NBA don't use a mid-range jumpshot, but he does.

Quick Hits
Favorite NBA team: Cleveland Cavaliers
Favorite college team growing up: Texas
Favorite sport other than basketball: College football
Favorite musical artists: Kanye West, Jay-Z, 50 Cent
Favorite class: History
Favorite movie: "Rush Hour 2"
Favorite video game: Grand Theft Auto
Favorite social media: Twitter
Favorite TV show: SpongeBob SquarePants

For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with www.usajaguars.com, and follow the Jaguars at www.twitter.com/USAJaguarSports. Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchased by calling (251) 461-1USA (1872).

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