TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - Leon senior Craig Mitchell has always loved basketball, but when it comes to playing the game he loves, his body hasn't always agreed with him.
"I tore my ACL the end of my sophomore year, rehabbed, came back, tore it again the first week back my junior year," he remembered. "I missed my junior season. It's been tough."
A tough go no doubt, but Craig's a firm believer in everything happening for a reason, and now he's back, and stronger then ever, in his senior campaign.
"I try to play every play like it's your last, and I try to instill those same morals in my teammates," he said. "We got to play as a family and you have to give everything every single play because you don't know when it can be your last."
"He comes in everyday and he's just happy to be here," said head coach Rick Davis. "He motivates his teammates, he comes in ready to work and he goes hard on a daily basis."
Craig is also going hard in the classroom. By the time he graduates, he'll have nearly a year of college done thanks to dual enrollment, all while balancing a 4.02 GPA.
"It's fabulous," said Coach Davis. "Knowing you have a kid of that magnitude, he can come in any help and of our guys at any given time."
"I'm trying to teach them based off my mistakes in life," echoed Craig. "I'm not perfect by far, but I'm maintaining, and I'm getting there. The goal is to tell them that they can get better, one step at a time each day."
Another goal for Craig? Now that he's healthy, help the Lions make this season one to remember.
"I'm not even excited for myself! I'm excited for this team," he laughed. "I'm excited for this program, for this school, because we have the energy and the talent this year. The depth, the intangibles to make it to Lakeland. I'm not taking any of it for granted. Every game, one at a time."
One at a time to the perfect ending to a senior year.
