The 206cm-tall 24-year-old is a native of Charlotte, North Carolina, and comes to the Breakers following a College career at Virginia, working with head coach and former North Harbour player and coach Tony Bennett, a two time winner of the prestigious Henry Iba Award for the nation's top coach as voted by the USBWA.
Mitchell played a key role at Virginia and helped them to regular season and ACC Tournament Championships in 2014, in the process being named to the ACC All-Defensive team and second All ACC tournament team.
Breakers coach Paul Henare likes what the scouting reports say and is even more convinced knowing that Mitchell has worked so closely with Bennett.
"Akil had a four-year career at Virginia and has two years' experience playing professionally," he said. "His time under Tony Bennett, who has a great connection with New Zealand, would've prepared him well for a long and successful career. One of the things that impressed me most was his willingness to learn and do whatever it takes for the team to win.
"Through watching tape and talking to our US scout Jonathan Givony, I knew we were getting someone that can guard 1-5 if needed which gives us some great flexibility when it comes to our defence. Offensively he will bring a great energy and with his athleticism, will be a crowd favourite, I'm sure."
Undrafted in 2014, Mitchell has since spent time with the Houston Rockets (NBA Summer League), Rio Grande Valley Vipers (NBA Development League), the Brooklyn Nets (2015 NBA Summer League) before heading to France with Olympique Antibes for the 2015/16 season. In 49 games for the Vipers he averaged 9.8 points, 9.0 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.0 steal per game.
Mitchell arrived in New Zealand today and joins Ben Woodside as the side's two imports. The rest of the 11-strong squad is made up of New Zealanders, including new signings Kirk Penney and Rob Loe.
"I am super excited to be here," Mitchell said. "this is a good league with a lot of good players coming through. It is a good stepping stone for me in my career and a great opportunity to win some games. From what I have heard it is a great country and I am looking forward to it.
"We were just in a room with all the championship trophies. I know this is a family orientated programme from ownership down, it is about family. I am looking forward to being a part of that, a team that wants to win and expects to win but is based on those great values."
The squad begin pre-season training on Thursday and will play a pre-season series against Brisbane Bullets in Tauranga (September 13), Napier (September 15) and Invercargill (September 17). They open their ANBL season against a Melbourne United side featuring former Breakers players Cedric Jackson and Tai Wesley on October 7 at Vector Arena.
Breakers 2016/17 Roster
Ben Woodside, USA, point guard, 1.80m (5ft 11in) 84kg
Shea Ili, point guard, NZL, 1.82m (6ft) 85kg
Corey Webster, guard, NZL, 1.87m (6ft 2in) 86kg
Kirk Penney, guard, NZL, 1.95m (6ft 5in) 99kg
Tom Abercrombie, NZL, swingman, 1.98m (6ft 6in) 94 kg
Jordan Ngatai, NZL, swingman, 1.95m (6ft 5in) 105kg
Mika Vukona, NZL, forward, 1.98m (6ft 6in) 105kg
Finn Delany, NZL, forward, 2.0m (6ft 7in) 102 kg
Rob Loe, NZL, forward, 2.10m (6ft 11in) 111kg
Akil Mitchell USA, forward, 2.06m (6ft 9in)
Alex Pledger, NZL, centre, 2.13 m (7ft) 111kg
