Tag: Ajay Mitchell

NBA 2K25 overall ratings for OKC Thunder rookies revealed

NBA 2K25 overall ratings for OKC Thunder rookies revealed.

It’s August, which means less than a month remains from the annual release of the NBA 2K video game. NBA 2K25 — which releases on Sept. 6 — will provide gamers the first chance to play with the latest versions of rosters among the 30 NBA teams.

To tease and build excitement, NBA 2K has slowly released players’ overall ratings. They can change throughout the 2024-25 regular season. It recently revealed the ratings for the top rookies.

The Oklahoma City Thunder have three entrants from the 2024 NBA draft. Nikola Topic, Dillon Jones and Ajay Mitchell were all selected within the first 38 picks.

Topic has a 72 rating; Jones has a 69 rating; and Mitchell has a 68 rating.

These are pretty respectable beginner ratings for all three players. The Thunder don’t expect much from their rookie class this upcoming season.

Topic will be redshirted as he recovers from a torn ACL. Mitchell is limited with his two-way deal. Jones is the only one of the trio who could see minutes throughout the season but that’s a distant possibility barring health.

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Thunder rookies Dillon Jones, Ajay Mitchell to sit remainder of summer league

Thunder rookies Dillon Jones and Ajay Mitchell will sit for the remainder of the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas.

Oklahoma City Thunder rookies Dillon Jones and Ajay Mitchell will sit for the remainder of the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas, Nevada, according to Clemente Almanza of Thunder Wire.

The team is also shutting down second-year guard Adam Flagler.

Jones and Mitchell both appeared in five summer league games for the Thunder between Salt Lake City and Las Vegas. The team will now get an opportunity to further evaluate other players on the roster over the remainder of their schedule in the desert.

Without the trio, the Thunder lost 100-99 to the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday. Buddy Boeheim produced a team-high 20 points, Jaden Shackelford had 18 points and Keyontae Johnson added 16 points to lead the Thunder, who dropped to 0-3 in Las Vegas.

Jones finished the summer averaging 13 points, 7.2 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 1.2 steals on 40.7% shooting from the field. The 26th pick registered three games in double figures, including 21 points, seven rebounds and four assists on July 9 in a win over Utah.

Mitchell, who is signed a two-way contract, averaged 16.4 points, 4.6 assists, three rebounds and 1.6 steals on 40% shooting from 3-point range. The 38th pick finished off his stay by recording 21 points, five assists and two rebounds on Monday.

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OKC Thunder’s 2024 Las Vegas Summer League schedule revealed

OKC Thunder’s 2024 Las Vegas Summer League schedule revealed.

As the 2024 NBA draft is officially concluded, the league announced the 2024 Summer League schedule on Friday. The Las Vegas event is scheduled from July 12-22.

The Oklahoma City Thunder are scheduled to play at least four games. They could play additional games if they qualify for the postseason tournament.

The Thunder’s summer league schedule is:

  • Thunder vs. Raptors on Saturday, July 13 at 7:30 p.m. CT (NBA TV)
  • Thunder vs. Heat on Monday, July 15 at 5 p.m. CT (ESPNU)
  • Suns vs. Thunder on Wednesday, July 17 at 7 p.m. CT (NBA TV)
  • Warriors vs. Thunder on Friday, July 19 at 9:30 p.m. CT (NBA TV)

The Thunder are also scheduled to play in the Salt Lake City summer league. The full schedule can be viewed here. The Thunder will play three games in Utah from July 8-10.

This means the Thunder will play seven summer league games in a 16-day window. This will mark the first chance OKC see rookies Dillon Jones and Ajay Mitchell suit up for its squad. Nikola Topic will be out as he recovers from a partially torn ACL.

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2024 NBA draft: OKC Thunder selects Ajay Mitchell with No. 38 selection

2024 NBA draft: OKC Thunder selects Ajay Mitchell with No. 38 selection.

The Oklahoma City Thunder have drafted UC Santa Barbara’s Ajay Mitchell with the No. 38 pick of the 2024 NBA draft, per The Athletic’s Shams Charania. This selection comes after they acquired it from the New York Knicks in exchange for cash considerations.

The Thunder reportedly acquired the No. 40 pick from the Portland Trail Blazers in exchange for the No. 52 pick, which OKC received from the Golden State Warriors for Lindy Waters III.

The 22-year-old played in three college seasons from 2021-24. He spent all three campaigns at UC Santa Barbara.

In 29 games last season, Mitchell averaged 20 points on 50.4% shooting, four assists and four rebounds. He shot 39.3% from 3 on 2.9 attempts. At 6-foot-3, 190 pounds, he’s a bit small for a guard.

Mitchell will likely spend most of his rookie season with the G League’s OKC Blue. There’s a shot he is added in one of the two-way slots.

Mitchell joins Nikola Topic and Dillon Jones as the Thunder’s 2024 rookie class.

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Report: UC Santa Barbara’s Ajay Mitchell had predraft workout with Thunder

Report: UC Santa Barbara’s Ajay Mitchell had predraft workout with Thunder.

The calendar has flipped to June, which means NBA teams are intensifying their predraft process and hosting players for workouts and visits. The 2024 NBA draft will take place from June 26-27.

The Oklahoma City Thunder enter this year’s class with a sole draft pick of the No. 12 selection. OKC was gifted the free lottery pick via the Houston Rockets.

The Thunder have hosted several meetings with draft prospects in the past few weeks. This includes players outside the lottery range as OKC will likely seek to add undrafted free agents or even buy back into the second round if it likes someone enough.

One possibility is UC Santa Barbara’s Ajay Mitchell. He reportedly had a predraft workout with the Thunder, per HoopsHype.

The 22-year-old played in three college seasons from 2021-24. He spent all three campaigns at UC Santa Barbara.

In 29 games last season, Mitchell averaged 20 points on 50.4% shooting, four assists and four rebounds. He shot 39.3% from 3 on 2.9 attempts. At 6-foot-3, 190 pounds, he’s a bit small for a guard.

Mitchell is likely a second-round selection. This means the Thunder will need to trade back into the second round if they like him enough. He’d likely spend most of his next season with the G League’s OKC Blue.

A full list of 2024 NBA draft prospects that have worked out or visited the Thunder in the predraft process can be viewed here.

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Former UC Santa Barbara guard Ajay Mitchell reveals his biggest strengths ahead of draft

Mitchell is drawing plenty of interest ahead of the NBA draft and is looking to showcase his overall game in workouts.

Former UC Santa Barbara junior Ajay Mitchell is drawing plenty of interest ahead of the 2024 NBA draft and is looking to showcase his overall game in team workouts.

Mitchell was named to the All-Big West first team after averaging 20 points, four assists, four rebounds and 1.2 steals on 39.3% shooting from 3-point range. He was one of four players in the country to average at least 20 points, four assists and four rebounds.

The Belgian finished second in the conference in scoring and seventh in assists. He produced four 30-point games this past season, including a career-high 39 points on Dec. 30 in a win over UC-Riverside, which tied the program record for a single game.

Mitchell was pleased with his season on and off the court.

I grew up in Belgium. My dad played college ball and all of my siblings played college sports, so I always wanted to play college. For me, it was important to show that I could compete against bigger, stronger athletes and just show that a European kid could make it in college.

Mitchell was invited to compete in the draft combine last month in Chicago, Illinois. He averaged seven points, 4.5 assists, 1.5 rebounds and one steal in two scrimmage games and also had a strong showing in the shooting drills in the event.

The 6-foot-4 guard is projected to be a second-round pick, given his offensive versatility and ability in pick-and-roll situations. The lefty is crafty in the paint and has great court vision to get his teammates involved as the lead ballhandler.

He believes those traits will translate well to the next level.

I think I can bring IQ. Obviously, make a play for myself (and) make a play for my teammates and read the game; that is one of my strengths. Then, being competitive, coming in and working hard and working hard to make my teammates better.

Mitchell has worked out with 13 teams so far in the predraft process, including the Indiana Pacers and Minnesota Timberwolves. He will finish with 18 total workouts before the draft on June 26-27 and is enjoying the process.

“I had four (workouts) before the combine and (the rest) of them after,” Mitchell said during his visit with the Pacers on Wednesday. “It has been great. I love it. It is a fun experience. I’d rather have a lot of workouts than none, so (I’m) grateful.”

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Ajay Mitchell: NBA draft scouting report

2002 | 6’3 | 6’6 | 197 LBS Team: UC Santa Barbara Agent: Todd Ramasar, Mike Simonetta Best aggregate mock draft rank : 25 / Worst rank: NR 2023-24 stats: In 2023-24, Mitchell averaged 20.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 0.4 blocks, and 1.2 …

2002 | 6’3 | 6’6 | 197 LBS

Team: UC Santa Barbara

Agent: Todd Ramasar, Mike Simonetta

Best aggregate mock draft rank: 25 / Worst rank: NR

2023-24 stats:

In 2023-24, Mitchell averaged 20.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 0.4 blocks, and 1.2 steals per game. He shot 50.4 percent from the field, 39.3 percent from three, and 85.8 percent from the foul line.

New Mexico Uses Strong Second-half to Put Away Gauchos, 84-61

Game Recap: New Mexico 84, UC Santa Barbara 61 Lobos looked well balanced and stayed the course for a very solid mid-week win. Contact/Follow @HardwoodTalk & @MWCwire Donovan Dent and Tru Washington lead second-half charge against a talented UC …

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 Game Recap: New Mexico 84, UC Santa Barbara 61

Lobos looked well balanced and stayed the course for a very solid mid-week win.

Contact/Follow @HardwoodTalk & @MWCwire

Donovan Dent and Tru Washington lead second-half charge against a talented UC Santa Barbara squad.

ALBUQUERQUE, NM–The public eye may have been on the New Mexico football team’s Head football Coach announcement Wednesday afternoon. But the 7-1 Lobos Men’s Basketball team is riding a six-game winning streak and are coming off of one the largest wins over in-state rival New Mexico State.

The hype for that Rio Grande Rivalry clash surrounded the controversy caused sabbatical both programs took from the rivalry last season. The Aggies came to Albuquerque in rebuilding mode under first year Head Coach Jason Hooten. And Saturday’s 106-62 point Lobo victory was a testament to just where each program is at the moment.

It also sent Richard Pitino’s squad into the week with winning momentum for a very underrated test against UC Santa Barbara on Wednesday night. Former Arizona Associate Head Coach has built the Gauchos into a mid-major power on the west coast. UCSB is led by NBA Draft prospect Ajay Mitchell and several other experienced guards.

The game was closer than Lobo fans would have liked through the first-half. The Gauchos size, experience and leadership was very apparent from the opening tip. Spearheaded early by SEC transfer Yohan Traore who did most of UCSB’s scoring as Mitchell adjusted to the Lobos defense.

The former Auburn Tiger was the only Gaucho to break the double-digit mark with 12 points in the first-half. While Mitchell made his impact with 8 points & 4 assists, but was kept to just 30% shooting on 3-10 field goals.

New Mexico only trailed UC Santa Barbara in the first minute of action. And while their lead was shrank to as few as two points multiple times, they never lost it. Mostly due in part to freshman big JT Toppin who had 11 points on a perfect 5-5 shooting from the floor with several key defensive stops in transition.

Star guard Jaelen House was all over the floor defensively with 2 steals to go along with 2 assists but was held scoreless. No worries though, as sophomore Donovan Dent had (what is becoming a regularity) solid first-half with 15 points & 5 assists to go along with 2 blocks.

The second-half was where the Lobos needed to break away, they began to do so five minutes or so into the half. Inspired by a 6-0 run & capitalized by a monster slam by Donovan Dent.

He didn’t slow down, barreling down the lane time after time to gives his squad the 16-point advantage as they approached the ten minute mark.

Aided by current Mountain West Freshman of the Week Tru Washington, who scored all of his 17 points in the second half after finding himself in foul trouble early. With solid point guard play coupled with great bench production the Lobos began to create their safety net.

A pair of technical fouls on the Lobos nearly derailed their momentum at times but they responded well. With their perimeter defense being the highlight of the night. Posting 12 steals to go along with 23 fast break points to end the night.

They made nothing easy on pro prospect Ajay Mitchell, making him earn every single point since the opening tip. While also finding an answer for Traore in the second-half, holding him to just 4 points after a very strong performance before half time.

It was a well balanced performance for Coach Pitino’s group. Posting a 23-point win over what will likely be an NCAA Tournament team out of the Big West to extend the Lobos’ win streak to seven. As they have a quick turnaround before Saturday’s trip back to Henderson, NV this weekend.

Player Spotlights

New Mexico G-Donovan Dent & Tru Washington

Stat line Dent: 23 points, 8 assists, 2 blocks & 2 steals on 9-15 shooting 35 minutes on the floor.

Dent had one of his more quite double-doubles of the season against New Mexico State over the weekend. Wednesday night Dent added to his legacy at New Mexico, with a dazzling display driving the lane. Staying composed and driven to keep his team in the lead throughout. The sophomore sensation drove with calmness and purpose while also keeping his teammates in mind.

Stat line Washington: 17 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists & 2 steals in 22 minutes on the floor

Washington simply forced my hand at giving my first co-play spotlights of the season. The surging freshman was neutralized early with 2 quick fouls and kept scoreless on the bench. As New Mexico received no offensive support from their bench in the first-half, Washington exploded for 17 points in the second and proved to be the difference maker on the scoresheet.

UCSB F-Yohan Traore

Stat line: 18 points, 5 rebounds on 8-12 shooting in just 26 minutes on the floor

With plenty of the focus on his floor general teammate, Traore thrived in the paint. The 6’11 big man definitely cooled off in the second-half, but was the only factor keeping his team competitive in the first.

It would have been easy to give the spotlight to Ajay Mitchell, who scored 14 of his points in the second-half off of 12-12 shooting from the charity stripe. But Traore dominated early on, it made the Lobo coaching staff make adjustments at half-time and shift their defensive focus.

Three Takeaways

  • This Lobo team was tested early and kept composure through a tight first-half. Staying team focused while playing efficient basketball on both sides. Star guard Jaelen House didn’t score his first points until well into the second-half, but it didn’t matter New Mexico was winning.
  • Dent has been simply astounding all year. Playing well above his years with poise and skill while proving he can lead a team and score in droves. I wasn’t exactly sure how year two would look in Albuquerque for Dent, but he’s made the Lobos’ future look very bright for years to come.
  • I can’t praise this freshman class enough. JT Toppin’s early season success was inspiring to see. Even tonight, logging 18 points, 3 blocks & 2 steals in just 20 minutes on the floor. While Washington’s emergence of late is just what the Lobos needed heading into December. Providing a closing scoring option down the stretch when opposing defenses begin to figure out how to slow down New Mexico’s backcourt. They’ve given this team balance, which should only get better.

Next Up:

The Lobos will take their winning streak with them back to Henderson, NV on Saturday. This time to the Jack Jones Classic to face Santa Clara for a mid-day clash.

New Mexico’s matchup against the Broncos is set to tip-off December 9th at 3:00 PM MT. If you wish do so, you can view the stream behind a paywall on Baller TV ($).

Larry Muniz covers college basketball as a writer for Mountain West Wire and WAC Hoops Digest. Also as a co-host of the college basketball podcast “Hoops Talk W/Jay & Larry”. He is also a USWBA Member.

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New Mexico vs. UC Santa Barbara: Preview, How To Stream, Odds & More

New Mexico vs. UC Santa Barbara: Preview The Lobos look to continue hot streak against UC Santa Barbara Wednesday. Contact/Follow @HardwoodTalk & @MWCwire New Mexico to finish three-game homestand against the UC Santa Barbara Gauchos. WHO: New …

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New Mexico vs. UC Santa Barbara: Preview

The Lobos look to continue hot streak against UC Santa Barbara Wednesday.

Contact/Follow @HardwoodTalk & @MWCwire

New Mexico to finish three-game homestand against the UC Santa Barbara Gauchos.

WHO: New Mexico (7-1, 0-0 in the MWC) vs. UC Santa Barbara (4-2, 0-0 in Big West)

WHEN: Wednesday, December 6th, 7:00 PM MT

WHERE: University Arena aka “The Pit”, Albuquerque, NM

STREAM: Mountain West Network

Line: KenPom, The Lobos are favored by 14 Points

Fandom in Albuquerque could not be higher as we venture further into the Month of December and closer to conference play. The Lobos are currently on a six game winning streak, sweeping their opposition in Henderson and returning to the Pit to add a couple more victories to their win column. One of those victories was one for the history books.

That aforementioned game was the second largest margin of victory over New Mexico State. Their in-state rivals fell 106-62, in the first Rio Grande Rivalry since the 2021-2022 season.

The Lobos were led by Jaelen House who scored 26 of his 28 points in the first-half, shooting 9-11 (81.8%) from the floor and a very impressive 5-6 from deep (83.3%), tying a career best in just 26 minutes on the floor.

Aside from House’s stellar contributions, the Lobos got a little help from everyone on Saturday night. With every single New Mexico player scoring at least one field goal, and a double-double from sophomore sensation Donovan Dent.

Plus a career night from emerging freshman Tru Washington, whose career high 21 points & 6 rebounds helped earn him his first Mountain West Freshman of the Week honor.

It was a dominant performance in every sense of the word and it’s added confidence to a surging New Mexico program that could very well not lose another non-conference game.

One of those games is an away game in Las Cruces against the Aggies on their own turf. Until then, they’ll host the UC Santa Barbara Gauchos. A Big West program that has been a silent power house on the west coast since the arrival of their Head Coach, Jon Pasternack.

Like others before them, march down the ramp inside the Pit Wednesday night in hopes of leaving with an upset in one of the sport’s greatest venues.

UC Santa Barbara Breakdown

The Gauchos are lead by Jon Pasternack, their now 7th year head coach. Who spent time at Arizona as an Associate Head Coach under Sean Miller. During his time in Tucson Pasternack was crucial to the Wildcats’ success, which includes trips to five NCAA Tournaments, two Sweet 16s and two Elite Eights.

This success gave him the opportunity to return to the head coaching ranks once again. This time time around in Santa Barbara, CA, where Pasternack has built quite the powerhouse in the Big West. Producing five 20+ win seasons and two Big West trebles that include two trips to the big dance.

And while attracting future NBA talent like Aaron Gordon & Stanley Johnson to Tucson is easy, finding and developing NBA talent at UCSB is far more impressive. Coach Pasternack has done just that, sending Gabe Vincent (Lakers) & Jacquori McLaughlin to the bright lights of the NBA from a Big West school.

So, UC Santa Barbara has similar expectations this season to what Pasternack has gotten fans used to. Picked to win the Big West yet again, two returning starters and a boosted frontcourt by SEC transfer Yohan Traore (15.2 PPG/67.3% FG). Who brings high major size and athleticism to UCSB.

The Gauchos also boast one of the bigger (all guards 6’4+) and more experienced backcourts in the west. And it’s headlined by the returning Big West Player of the Year Ajay Mitchell (see below). On the perimeter he’s joined by stat sheet stuffer Josh Pierre-Louis who can score at all three levels and helps leads the team in assists (tied at 4.3 APG w/Mitchell). Not to mention returner and fellow long range shooter Cole Anderson (15/35, 42.9%).

Players to Watch:

G Jaelen House–New Mexico

After his spectacular performance against New Mexico State on Saturday, Jaelen House is officially back. Which is good news for Richard Pitino. As his leading scorer Jamal Mashburn Jr. is likely still questionable after missing the last three games with an undisclosed injury.

While House is back from dealing with an injury of his own that sidelined him for the first five games of the season. There appears to be no rust to shake off, since his return he’s averaged 22.0 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 4.0 APG & 3.0 SPG, shooting both 50% from the floor and 3-point range.

Though perhaps missed the most is House’s play making ability for himself and others. Something lacking at times this season, but as we saw Saturday, he make’s everyone around him better.

G Ajay Mitchell-UC Santa Barbara

Returning a conference player of the year in this day and age is a victory in and in itself. Whether through transfer portal poaching or the professional ranks, which Mitchell has received interest from during his first two seasons in Santa Barbara.

Though this season he’s taking things up a notch, in every statistical category that matters. Currently leading the Gauchos in scoring with 23.3 PPG while also chipping in 5.3 RPG, 4.3 APG & shooting 63.5% from the floor, 84.6% from the free throw line and an improved 50% from deep.

Mitchell can do it all, score at all three levels, get to the free throw line and take advantage. All of that at the point guard spot, at 6’5 190. Mitchell may be a big defensive assignment for most of the Lobos’ backcourt.

(Link to Mitchell highlights)

Keys to the Game

For New Mexico:  Distribute the ball well, Take and make the 3 & Defend the perimeter

The Lobos logged a season high in assists against the Aggies (24) and arguably their best assist to turnover ratio of the season as well (3:1). If the team can build on that ball movement and shoot the three ball similarly (14-25, 56%) while taking the three point shot away from the Gauchos, a quality win should be expected.

Prediction: New Mexico 90, UC Santa Barbara 76

Larry Muniz covers college basketball as a writer for Mountain West Wire and WAC Hoops Digest. Also as a co-host of the college basketball podcast “Hoops Talk W/Jay & Larry”. He is also a USWBA Member.

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