Feb 4, 2014; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; Maryland Terrapins forward Charles Mitchell (0) fights for the rebound with North Carolina Tar Heels forward J.P. Tokoto (13) and forward James Michael McAdoo (43) in the second half. The North Carolina Tar Heels defeated the Maryland Terrapins 75-63 at Dean E. Smith Student Activities Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

In a move that is making the NCAA transfer market look more and more like NBA free agency, Maryland seems to have completed a straight up swap with Georgia Tech. Less than a week after the Terrapins received a commitment from Georgia Tech transfer Robert Carter Jr., the Yellow Jackets officially received a commitment from Terrapins transfer Charles Mitchell. Basically, it’s a head-to-head trade that, for whatever reason, requires both players to sit out a year before being eligible to participate again.

Mitchell opted to leave the Terrapins program to be closer to home and, in turn, closer to his ill grandmother. He’ll get that wish playing for nearby Georgia Tech, which presumably makes all parties pleased. Mitchell left the Terrapins averaging 6.5 points and 6.3 rebounds last year in 18.8 minutes of play. He’ll get a chance to start right away for the Yellow Jackets, who are now thin in the frontcourt after losing…Robert Carter Jr. to the transfer market.

All in all, if we’re comparing head-to-head, the Terrapins are probably on top here. Robert Carter is the superior scorer, and almost on par with Mitchell in terms of rebounding. He’s also got a major size advantage; Mitchell is a 6’6 power forward and Carter is 6’11 and huge. Still, Georgia Tech gets one heck of a player in Mitchell and should be able to get some solid production from him. Best of luck to the kid.

The only real loser in this is the NCAA, which is continually showing how stupid transfer rules have become with this scenario. Why do these players have to sit out a season? Furthermore, why do coaches not have to sit out a season following a new job? If both parties are happy and not competing with one another, why do these two players have to put on hold their livelihood to fulfill arbitrary rules? Nice one, NCAA.