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.
