When it was announced that former WVU basketball forward Tre Mitchell was joining Best Virginia -- an alumni squad mostly comprised of former Mountaineers that competes annually in The Basketball Tournament (TBT) -- it was met with a mixed reception from fans.
It likely stems from the fact that Mitchell transferred into West Virginia with two seasons of collegiate eligibility remaining ahead of the 2022-2023 season, and proceeded to transfer again the next season to Kentucky following the departure of legendary WVU head coach Bob Huggins. Many would say that is a silly reason to hold a grudge -- especially considering just half of Best Virginia's 2025 roster suited up for the old-gold-and-blue at any point in their collegiate career. But old grudges die hard
But in the end, Mitchell's choice to join Best Virginia may go a long way in helping those grudges find their way to the grave. It helps that he had the option to try and land a spot on the Kentucky alumni squad, La Familia, but ended up playing for Best Virginia instead. But it was his performance in a thrilling 72-69 win over Dubois Dream in the opening round of the 2025 TBT that really helped bring the "Tre Mitchell Redemption Arc" to a close this summer.
Mitchell ended up being a critical piece in Best Virginia's victory at the Charleston Coliseum on Friday night -- he was placed into the starting lineup and ended up playing 24 minutes during the game (the fifth most for the team). Once on the court, he did a little bit of everything for his team, scoring 13 points and also adding five rebounds, two assists, and two blocks in the victory.
But where he shined the most, perhaps, was during the "Elam Ending" segment of the game. In TBT play, games are decided through the Elam Ending -- meaning at the first dead ball after the clock hits 4:00 remaining in the fourth quarter, a target score is set at eight points higher than the leading team's score, and the game is played until one team meets the target score.
Best Virginia held a 17-point lead entering the fourth quarter against Dubois Dream, but entered the Elam Ending with just a four-point advantage, and ended up trailing as both teams approached the target score of 72. But Mitchell helped keep his team in the game, scoring four points and tallying three rebounds during that final stretch -- including converting two back-to-back buckets that propelled his team from a 69-66 deficit to a 70-69 lead, helping set a pair of game-winning free throws from teammate Toby Okani.
Mitchell's further opportunity to redeem himself in the eyes of Mountaineer fans isn't over yet, either. He'll be back on the court with Best Virginia at 5 PM EST on Sunday, July 20, as they face Herd That in the West Virginia Region Semifinals. Herd That is an alumni squad for in-state rival Marshall, allowing fans of both programs the chance to have an unofficial summertime renewal of the Capital Classic rivalry between the two programs, which in earlier years was an annual rivalry matchup. The contest between Herd That and Best Virginia will be broadcast on FS1.