by By Dan Ninham
One of the elite high school athletes from the Lapwai HS powerhouse in Idaho athletics is continuing to excel in college in Tennessee.
Amil Mitchell, 21, is from the Nez Perce tribe and is from Lapwai, Idaho. She competes for LeMoyne-Owen College, an HBCU in Memphis, TN, and he is going into his senior year.
“My tribal core values define who I am as an athlete with a lot of respect,” said Amil. “Respect for the game, other players, for my coaches, teammates and really for the game all around.”
“Currently as an athlete I am going into my senior year with an extra year of eligibility due to COVID-19,” said Amil. “My goals are to graduate after the spring term of 2022 with my Bachelor’s degree and then continue onto my Master’s degree while also taking advantage of my extra year of eligibility.”
“My lifelong mentor is my older brother, Imani Mitchell,” said Amil.
“The more experience she gains, the more of a student she becomes,” said Imani Mitchell, off-season trainer and big brother. “Either side of the ball, offense or defense, Amil will make an impact on the game. Able to use her small, long frame to be a defensive irritant. Always plays with a hustle mindset. If there’s one thing you know you can get from Amil it’s energy. She may not be the biggest vocal leader but her actions speak volumes. The type of player you hate playing against, but love playing with.”
“My coaches are Antony Partee and Jonathon Collins,” said Amil. “Each person has impacted my life in significant ways that will always stay with me whether it be advice on the court or in life.”
“Amil is an exceptional talent,” said Antony Partee, head women’s basketball coach at LeMoyne-Owen College.
“Amil is a leader on and off the basketball court. Her ability is to make others around her better is second to none. She has a great deal of potential and her competitive spirit is unmatched,” added Antony.
Amil was a three-sport star at Lapwai HS in Idaho. She equally excelled in all sports she played in. She was one of the team members of a three-peat Idaho State Basketball Championship seasons.
One of her basketball highlights included a quadruple-double. On January 26, 2018, she was named P1FCU Prep Athlete of the Week. She had 17 points, 10 assists, 11 steals, and 11 rebounds in a game versus Potlatch HS.
“Amil is a very hard worker and makes sure that she pushes herself in anything that she does,” said Ada Marks, Amil’s volleyball and softball coach at Lapwai HS in ID. “What I liked best about being her coach is that she always has a positive attitude and real leader on and off the court. When she makes a mistake on the court she does well with bouncing back and staying focused mentally. No matter if her team is winning or losing she plays hard to the final whistle.”
“She is always trying to find ways to help herself become better at her game and being back home she’s stepping in and practicing with her younger sister’s team and being a great role model for them. I’m very proud of her for taking her game to the collegiate level,” added Ada.
“I did what a lot fear to do,” said Amil. “I took off far from home just to chase my dream of playing college basketball. My adventurous spirit and passion for the game is taking me to places I’d never imagined going too. I went for it and never gave up, despite the obstacles in my path.”
“I stayed true to my goals and dreams and am fearlessly pushing to make them happen,” said Amil.
Photo Credit: LeMoyne-Owen College Athletics
