Former LSU forward Tasmin Mitchell was a freshman sensation for the Tigers.Mitchell, a selection to the 2006 Southeastern Conference All-Freshman Team, averaged 34.4 minutes per game and scored in double-figures on a nightly basis in his first season for LSU.This summer Mitchell has been trying to make a similar impact with his new team — the Cleveland Cavaliers’ summer league squad.Mitchell joined the Cavaliers after going undrafted in June’s NBA draft and began a five-game stint with Cleveland on July 13.Mitchell’s debut was his strongest game with the Cavaliers, notching 11 points and 11 rebounds.”I wasn’t really nervous,” Mitchell said. “My nerves stayed out of it. I just wanted to play my game.”He finished the summer season on a good note, playing 37 minutes with six points and eight rebounds in the Cavaliers’ summer finale against the Milwaukee Bucks on Sunday.Mitchell said he was given the opportunity to prove himself Sunday when teammates went down with injuries.”We had a lot of guys that were hurt,” Mitchell said. “They wanted to see if I would have the same energy.”The Denham Springs native averaged 20.6 minutes per game and ended the summer shooting 45.8 percent from the field, averaging 5.8 points and 5.4 rebounds each night.”It went really well,” Mitchell said. “I played really well for my team. I just went out there and played basketball.”Mitchell said he sent a positive message to the Cavaliers during his time on the summer team.”I let them know I really know how to play and hustle, and I can play with the best of them,” Mitchell said.Mitchell ended his career at LSU third on the school’s all-time scoring list, but his defense and rebounding has also been a strength.Mitchell said he is looking forward to working with new Cavaliers coach Byron Scott.”He said I’m his type of player,” Mitchell said. “I got a lot of positive responses from him.”The Cavaliers lost league MVP LeBron James to the Miami Heat in free agency, but Mitchell is still confident in the team’s chances next season.”I just felt like it was another opportunity that opened,” Mitchell said.Mitchell said he will be working out and practicing to prepare for training camp in October, where he will vie for a roster spot.”My chances [of making the team] are very high,” Mitchell said. “They are very interested in me.”Mahtook continues with USA teamLSU sophomore outfielder Mikie Mahtook completed his sixth game with the USA Collegiate National Team on Sunday as they swept Korea in a five-game series.Mahtook’s best performance came in his debut July 13, when Mahtook went 2-for-4 in an 8-3 win against the Fayetteville Swampdogs.Since then the Lafayette native cooled off a bit.Mahtook has a .200 average after six games with four hits in 20 trips to the plate.The USA team will face the Omaha Diamond Spirit tonight at 5 p.m.Woods signs with SaintsFormer LSU defensive lineman Al Woods signed a four-year contract with the New Orleans Saints on Thursday.Woods was the 123rd overall pick in the fourth round of this year’s NFL draft.The Elton High School alumnus played 41 games for the Tigers with 16 starts.Woods grew through his years at LSU, finishing with 13 starts and 33 tackles his senior season.Woods was the first of the Saints’ six draft picks from this year’s draft to sign with the team.–Contact Michael Lambert at [email protected]