A year after the Thunder drafted him, Ajay Mitchell is already stepping into a new kind of leadership role - this time back where his college career took off.
Mitchell has agreed to become the general manager of his alma mater, USC Santa Barbara, according to CBS Sports’ Josh Rothstein. Rothstein said Mitchell “will help guide program advancement while serving as a mentorship resource for current players,” a sign that the 24-year-old guard is being asked to bring more than just name recognition to the job.
That fits the way Oklahoma City has operated around him. Thunder GM Sam Presti has built a reputation for trusting his instincts and giving overlooked players room to grow, and Mitchell has become one more example of that approach paying off. Presti has previously taken chances on players such as Serge Ibaka, Jerami Grant, Dennis Schroder, Andre Roberson, and more recently, Lu Dort, Jared McCain, Ajay Mitchell, Isaiah Joe, and Aaron Wiggins.
Mitchell’s rise in Oklahoma City has been quick. In his second season, he averaged 13.6 points, 3.3 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.2 steals in 25.8 minutes. He also turned in a memorable stretch in the Thunder’s second-round sweep of the Los Angeles Lakers, when his numbers jumped across the board.
Before the NBA, Mitchell spent three years at UC Santa Barbara after playing professionally in France. He was named Big West Player of the Year in 2023 and helped lead the Gauchos to the NCAA Tournament with Miles Norris that season. Their run ended with a first-round loss to Baylor.
At UCSB, Mitchell put up career averages of 16.1 points, 3.0 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and 1.1 steals. The Thunder selected him with the No. 38 pick in the 2024 draft.
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Buddy Boeheims Thunder Role Says A Lot About OKCs System
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For Boeheim, the bigger question is what comes next, and it sounds like the door remains open with Oklahoma Citys G League affiliate. The Thunder have made a habit of squeezing value from players who can fill a very specific lane, and Boeheims season fits that model neatly. His year ended with a final grade that reflected modest on-court production, but also a clear understanding of where he fits in the organizations broader pipeline. [Read more 🡒]