Sam Mitchell,
Co-Dreamer and Achiever
Sam is the co-founder of the SaMarc Dream and Achieve Foundation. Born and raised in Columbus, Georgia, Sam attended Columbus High School, before graduating and going on to study at Mercer University on a basketball scholarship.
The 6'6", 210 lb small forward was drafted out of Mercer University with the seventh pick of the third round (54th overall) by the Houston Rockets in the 1985 NBA Draft. Sam scored nearly 2,000 points at Mercer, becoming the leading scorer in team history. He led the Bears to both the regular-season and postseason Trans-American Atlantic Conference championships in 1985. As a result, the team made the NCAA tournament that year.
Prior to the start of his NBA career, Sam spent three seasons in the Continental Basketball Association and in the French basketball league team of Montpellier for an additional two seasons. “Traveling through Europe was an eye-opener, and a lot of fun,” reminisces Sam. “But I was careful to not waste away my hard-earned money. I actually returned home to Georgia with most of my salary. I’ve always been prudent with my money. I always live well within my means.”
Sam began playing in the NBA when he joined the 1989 expansion team, the Minnesota Timberwolves, in their inaugural season. He scored a career-high 37 points against the Philadelphia 76ers in 1991. After three seasons with the Timberwolves, Sam was traded in 1992 to the Indiana Pacers. Next, after three years with the Pacers, he returned to the Timberwolves where he remained until he retired in 2002. Sam is currently second on the Wolves' all-time scoring and rebounding list.
Sam returned to the NBA almost immediately as an Assistant Coach with the Milwaukee Bucks for two seasons until 2004. He was briefly Top Assistant Coach of the Charlotte Bobcats until he moved to Toronto to become Head Coach of the Raptors.
In January 2007, Sam was named “Coach of the Month” for his outstanding efforts in bringing the Toronto Raptors back to .500 and the lead in the Atlantic Division. On March 30, 2007, Sam enjoyed his 100th win as NBA coach when the Raptors defeated the Washington Wizards.
Sam, who saw his team struggle with rebuilding in his first years as coach, also led the Raptors to their first division title in franchise history as the team won the Atlantic Division in the NBA's Eastern Conference in the 2006-07 NBA season. On 24 April 2007, he was named 2006–07 NBA Coach of the Year. On 22 May 2007 after leading the Raptors to their first playoffs appearance since 2002, Sam was signed to a four year contract with the Raptors.
On November 25, 2007 Mitchell surpassed Lenny Wilkens for the most wins in team history.