Tech’s Mitchell granted eligibility waiver

Georgia Tech has another big man to put on the floor. Forward Charles Mitchell, who transferred over the summer from Maryland, was granted a hardship waiver by the NCAA and will have immediate eligibility.

Mitchell, a graduate of Wheeler High, transferred to Tech from Maryland to be closer to his family and particularly his ailing grandmother. Mitchell, 6-foot-8 and 269 pounds, will have two years of eligibility. Last season, he averaged 6.5 points with a team-high 6.3 rebounds in 32 games. He started the final 10 games of the season.

Mitchell will likely be part of a frontcourt rotation that also includes forwards Robert Sampson, who transferred last year from East Carolina, and Quinton Stephens and center DeMarco Cox, who transferred at the end of the summer after graduating from Ole Miss. Freshmen Abdoulaye Gueye and Ben Lammers will also compete for time. Tech will be without its three principal frontcourt players from last season, center Daniel Miller (graduation) and forwards Kammeon Holsey (graduation) and Robert Carter (transfer).

“We are thankful that the NCAA has supported and granted Charles’ waiver for immediate eligibility,” coach Brian Gregory said in a statement. “Coming back home to Atlanta will give him the opportunity to assist his family while achieving some tremendous academic and athletic goals.”