Montverde, Fla. (June 25, 2026) – Montverde Academy alumnus Dillon Mitchell '22 added his name to the school's long and distinguished NBA legacy on Wednesday night, as he was selected by the Boston Celtics with the 40th overall pick in the second round of the 2026 NBA Draft.
Mitchell spent the 2021-22 season at MVA, helping lead the Eagles to a GEICO High School National Championship and a No. 1 national ranking. The Eagles captured their third consecutive national title that season, finishing atop the national polls after winning GEICO Nationals. Mitchell played a key role throughout the championship run, averaging 13.0 points and 11.3 rebounds during the national tournament.
Mitchell, a Tampa native, arrived at MVA as one of the nation's premier prospects and quickly established himself as one of the top two-way players in high school basketball. During his lone season with the Eagles, he earned McDonald's All-American honors, was named a MaxPreps Third Team All-American, earned Naismith Trophy Second Team All-America recognition, and was selected to the National Interscholastic Basketball Conference (NIBC) All-Defensive Team.
Following his graduation from MVA in 2022, Mitchell signed with the University of Texas, where he spent two seasons. He later transferred to the University of Cincinnati before finishing his collegiate career at St. John's University under Hall of Fame head coach Rick Pitino.
At St. John's, Mitchell helped lead the Red Storm to Big East regular-season and tournament championships while showcasing the athleticism and defensive versatility that made him one of the most intriguing prospects in the 2026 draft class. He averaged 8.3 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 3.0 assists per game during his final collegiate season and earned All-Big East Defensive Team honors.
Known for his elite athleticism, rebounding ability, and defensive impact, Mitchell developed into one of the nation's top defensive forwards during his college career. Those traits ultimately caught the attention of the Celtics, who made him the 40th overall selection.
The entire Montverde Academy community congratulates Dillon on this tremendous accomplishment and wishes him continued success as he begins his professional career with the Boston Celtics.
About Montverde Academy:
Montverde Academy is a private, independent college preparatory school for grades Pre-K3 through post-graduate studies, with a boarding program serving grades 7-12 representing 70+ nationalities. Our mission is to inspire students to become knowledgeable leaders with global vision and passion for learning, in a disciplined and diverse community that nurtures character development. For more information, visit us online at Montverde.org and at MVASports.com.
