When he left Mercer, Mitchell was the Bears leader in scoring (career and season, 774), field goals (career, 768, and season, 294), free throws (season, 186), and free throw attempts (season, 248) and still holds all but the career scoring mark to this day. He is the only player from Mercer to make the NBA. Mitchell was drafted in the third round (54th overall) by the Houston Rockets in the 1985 NBA Draft. However, his road to the NBA was not an easy on, he signed 1989 as a free agent with the expansion Minnesota Timberwolves. Before entering the NBA, he played three years in the CBA where he helped the Rapid City (S.D.) Thrillers to a championship, and overseas in Frances top professional league for two seasons (1987-89). In 1989 Sports Illustrated wrote an article about Mitchell titled The Chance Of A Lifetime; At 26, Minnesotas Sam Mitchell is the oldest NBA rookie" In it author Steve Rushin gives a detailed look at what life was like for Sam as an older rookie and some of the tough experiences he went through to get to the NBA. Including a time where he actually reenrolled in Mercer. There are some great quotes in the article including: "Magic Johnson shook my hand before the game last night," says 26yr old Mitchell "He told me, Congratulations, Sam. Youre having a great season. When we played Golden State, Chris Mullin said, Good to have you in the league, Sam. Sam. These guys are All-Stars—how do they know me?" It goes onto describe Mitchell as one of the toughest defenders in the league with assignments like Rockets centre Hakeem Olajuwon and young shooting guard named Michael Jordan. Sam came before the YouTube era, but there are some gems out there like this one at the 3 minute mark of this video where he makes a beautiful spin move and bucket: Old Skool Vans Cheap . But qualifying for her first Scotties Tournament of Hearts after years of falling short in tough Manitoba provincial championships is as good as consolation prizes get for the 29-year-old from Winnipegs Fort Rouge Curling Club. Cheap Old Skool From China .ca contributor Grant McCagg provides a look at some risers and fallers on the prospect watch. http://www.oldskoolcheap.com/ .Dawson also birdied two of the last four holes to reach 12-under 132 on TPC San Antonios AT&T Canyons Course. He won his only title in a PGA Tour-sanctioned event in 2002 in the Web.com Tours LaSalle Bank Open.Im not going to lose any sleep, believe me, Dawson said. I used to be a perfectionist, but my attitude now is to play like Im in the pro-am. Cheap Old Skool Shoes China . "There are a lot of things that are going very well in this organization. Im not coming in here to rip things apart," Nicholson told reporters Friday. "I know what Hockey Canada was when I started, and I know where this (Oilers) organization is today. Cheap Old Skool Shoes Online . - Ryan Spooner scored twice to lead the Boston Bruins to a 6-1 victory over the New York Islanders in a preseason game Friday night.OAKLAND, Calif. -- Jason Hammel walked off the mound in the sixth inning to a standing ovation from the announced crowd of 16,335 at the Coliseum. He saluted the fans with his right hand, looking more relieved than happy. Maybe for good reason. Hammel snapped a four-start losing streak since being traded to Oakland and led the Athletics past the Tampa Bay Rays 3-0 on Tuesday night. "Felt awesome," Hammel said. "I wanted to come in and make an immediate impact. It didnt work out that way. But it goes to show you how good of baseball fans we have here." Hammel (1-4) allowed seven hits and four walks in 5 2-3 innings. He entered the game with a 9.53 ERA since the As acquired him and Jeff Samardzija from the Chicago Cubs on July 4. The right-hander said he worked in more breaking balls to keep hitters guessing. "Its a lot harder to hit when youre thinking of four different pitches instead of two," he said. Coco Crisp, starting for the first time since July 26, singled home a run in the fifth, and Nate Freiman hit an RBI double during a two-run sixth to spoil Drew Smylys debut with Tampa Bay. Smyly (6-10) gave up all three runs, seven hits and two walks, including one intentional, in 5 1-3 innings. The left-hander was traded from Detroit last week in the three-team deal that sent ace David Price to the Tigers. "I fought pretty good," Smyly said. "My pitch count got up there. I had a couple of deep counts. I missed my pitch against Freiman. Other than that, I thought I pitched well." Tampa Bay has lost three straight and five of six after an 11-1 stretch. The Rays never could crack Hammel, who pitched for Tampa Bay from 2006-08, or any of the pitchers the major-league leading As threw their way. Three relievers tossed scoreless ball before Sean Doolittle pitched a perfect ninth for his 17th save in 20 tries to preserve Hammels win. "That might be just what he needed," Doolittle said, "to get on a roll.&" DEFENSIVE AS Hammel escaped trouble in the third and fourth innings by inducing a pair of ground balls that led to double plays.dddddddddddd As shortstop Eric Sogard also snagged Ben Zobrists hard grounder and made a quick throw to nab Desmond Jennings at third base for the first out of the fifth. Sogard started at shortstop instead of second base because Jed Lowrie was nursing a bruised right index finger. "He really looked like he was comfortable," As manager Bob Melvin said. RAYS ERRORS It was a far different story on defence for the Rays. Curt Casali was called for catchers interference on Josh Reddicks grounder leading off the As eighth. Third baseman Evan Longoria threw way wide on a relay home in the sixth for another error that helped Derek Norris score from first on Freimans double. And Kevin Kiermaier tried to cut down Alberto Callaspo at the plate on Crisps single in the fifth but sailed his throw to the backstop from right field. "I always encourage guys if theyre going to throw it away, to really throw it away. So he takes instruction well," Rays manager Joe Maddon said. "Really, though, when youre not scoring, those things get magnified." TRAINERS ROOM Rays: Outfielder Wil Myers, on the 60-day disabled list with a broken right wrist, went through an extensive workout and drills for the second straight day in Port Charlotte, Florida. The Rays could decide by the end of the week when Myers will begin his rehab assignment. Athletics: Lowrie (bruised right index finger) is day to day. First baseman Kyle Blanks (left calf injury) ran the bases and will do so again on Thursday before Oakland decides whether to send him out on a rehab assignment. ON DECK Rays: Jeremy Hellickson (0-1, 3.29) tries to snap his six-start winless streak, which dates to Sept. 4, 2013. Athletics: Sonny Gray (12-4, 2.59) goes in the series finale after winning AL Pitcher of the Month for July. ' ' '