Steve Mitchell

Stephen M. Mitchell (April 17, 1951 – December 5, 1978) was an American professional basketball player. He played college basketball for the Kansas State Wildcats from 1970 to 1973. Mitchell began his professional career in Holland during the 1973–74 season and then spent the next four years playing in Italy. He died of heart failure during his first season with Sarila Rimini in 1978.

Early life Mitchell attended Northwest Classen High School in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He was the highest scoring player in Northwest history and totalled 1,405 points in three seasons. He was selected as the Big Eight Conference Sophomore of the Year in 1971. He was offered a one-year no-cut contract by the Rockets but decided to wait for the Suns to make their own offer. He loved Italy and would stay back a month after his season ended.

Death On December 4, 1978, Mitchell and his teammate Mark Crow travelled to Pesaro to spend the night with Jim Thomas who played for Scavolini.

Mitchell was one of three American basketball players to die in Europe during a 13-month span alongside Robert Elmore in Italy and Fessor Leonard in Switzerland.