When the Vandals need a steady hand or a timely basket, Kolton Mitchell has increasingly become the answer. The redshirt sophomore guard has emerged as one of the Vandals’ most reliable offensive weapons, and his recent stretch of performances have solidified him as the engine that powers Idaho’s scoring attack.
A standout at Lake City High School in Coeur d’Alene, Mitchell went 26-0 and won a state championship as a senior, earning Inland Empire League MVP honors while becoming the school’s all-time leading scorer. He initially began his collegiate career at Idaho State, where a finger injury limited his season and led to a medical redshirt. In 10 games, he averaged 7.3 points.
Since transferring to Idaho, Mitchell’s impact has been immediate. In his first season as a Vandal, he started all 33 games and led the team in six statistical categories, including minutes, points, assists and steals. He averaged 11.1 points per game, shot nearly 90 percent from the free throw line, and scored in double figures 20 times.
His year was highlighted by a memorable buzzer-beating three-pointer against Northern Colorado that handed the Bears their first Big Sky loss of the season.
That production earned Mitchell preseason All-Big Sky recognition heading into his second year in Moscow, and he has backed it up so far. Through 15 games this season, Idaho sits at 9-6, its best start since 2017–18, with Mitchell playing a crucial role.
He leads the team with 14.9 points per game, while also contributing 3.9 assists and 1.2 steals per contest. His shooting range remains a major part of Idaho’s offensive identity, as he has already knocked down 36 threes.
Beyond the numbers, Mitchell’s growth has shown in his confidence and aggression. While he was an elite free-throw shooter last season, he has been even more assertive attacking the basket this year. Through 15 games, he has already attempted 77 free throws, nearly matching last season’s total.
On the road against California Polytechnic State University, Mitchell delivered one of his best performances of the season, finishing with 31 points and going 11-for-14 from the line in an 83-80 overtime win. With Idaho trailing in overtime, he buried a clutch three and drew a foul, converting the four-point play that effectively sealed the game.
In a narrow 64-63 loss to California State Bakersfield, Mitchell again led the offense with 17 points and five assists, helping keep Idaho competitive until the final possession.
Mitchell’s most recent outing came in the Big Sky opener against Eastern Washington, where he turned in another electric scoring performance. He shot 6-of-9 from beyond the arc, scored 32 points and had three steals.
He scored 11 points in the first eight minutes to set the tone, then took over late after the Eagles briefly pulled ahead. A contested three followed by a strong drive to the basket swung the momentum back Idaho’s way.
“I thought today I let the game come to me and it got me in a good rhythm,” Mitchell said postgame of Eastern Washington.
Head coach Alex Pribble has seen the work behind the production. After Mitchell eclipsed 500 career points earlier this season, Pribble called him “a special guy who has earned this with time in the gym,” adding that “it’s just the start of something special for him.”
With his ability to score at all three levels and deliver in key moments, Mitchell has firmly established himself as Idaho’s top scoring option.