Former Seton Hall basketball player pleads guilty in robbery at home near campus

Ex-Seton Hall player pleads guilty in robbery

NEWARK, N.J. — A former Seton Hall basketball player has pleaded guilty in an armed robbery at a house near the school’s northern New Jersey campus.

Robert Mitchell, 24, of Brooklyn, N.Y., pleaded guilty Friday to criminal restraint and burglary charges.

Mitchell admitted entering the private home in South Orange on March 15 to purchase marijuana. Once inside, Mitchell said he and a co-defendant decided to rob the eight people there.

Police said they forced the occupants into a common area at gunpoint and robbed them of cash, credit cards and cell phones.

Prosecutors said they’ll recommend a three-year prison sentence for Mitchell under terms of a plea agreement. No sentencing date was set.

Mitchell, a junior forward, was kicked off the team by then-coach Bobby Gonzalez after his arrest. Mitchell played in 31 games this past season, averaging 8.4 points and 3.8 rebounds.

Co-defendant Kelly Whitney of Chicago, also a former Seton Hall player, is awaiting trial. Whitney was indicted for holding the people in the house at gunpoint and robbing them. He has pleaded not guilty. He remains incarcerated and is scheduled for a status conference on Nov. 5.

Whitney, 27, played for Seton Hall from 2002-2006 and ranks 18th on the school’s all-time scoring list with 1,448 points.