CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. -- Steffon Mitchell hears the whispers around him. He knows his reputation for elite, lockdown defense, and he understands his place in the conversation of the ACC's most feared rebounders. For three years, he embraced the challenge and guarded the best of the best in order to help his team win. Last week, before joining ACC Network's "Operation Basketball" special, all three studio hosts - including former NBA and Duke big man Carlos Boozer - lauded Mitchell's efforts on the defensive end, calling him the best in the league.
He also knows the unbound lack of limitations in his game and how his game evolved well beyond the box constructed by written analysis or spoken word.