Ajay Mitchell’s inaugural season with the Oklahoma City Thunder defied typical rookie expectations, establishing him as a surprisingly efficient and consistently utilized presence off the bench. His integration into the Thunder’s dynamic roster proved seamless, with his early contributions hinting at a promising future for the young guard in the competitive NBA landscape.
Mitchell joined the Thunder via a strategic four-team trade that saw Oklahoma City acquire the 38th pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. Hailing from the University of California, Santa Barbara, Mitchell brought a collegiate track record of impressive scoring and all-around play, averaging 20.0 points on over 50% shooting, 4.0 rebounds, 4.0 assists, and 1.2 steals in his junior year.
His transition to professional basketball was marked by consistent appearances, participating in 36 regular-season games and 12 playoff contests. Mitchell demonstrated an immediate impact, recording positive plus-minuses in nearly every regular-season game and half of his playoff outings, showcasing his readiness for high-level competition.
A critical aspect of Ajay Mitchell’s rookie success was his exceptional shooting efficiency. He posted strong percentages across the board: 49.5% from the field, 54.8% on two-pointers, a remarkable 38.3% from beyond the arc on 60 attempts, and 82.9% from the free-throw line. These figures highlight his scoring prowess and make him an incredibly efficient offensive player, particularly for a first-year guard.
One memorable instance of his impact occurred in a significant win against the Sacramento Kings, where Mitchell drained a crucial catch-and-shoot corner three-pointer from an assist by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander as the third quarter expired. This timely shot extended Oklahoma City’s lead to 13 points, underscoring his ability to perform in high-pressure situations and contribute to critical runs.
Furthermore, Mitchell delivered a career-best all-around performance against the Washington Wizards, recording 22 points, 12 rebounds, two assists, a steal, and a block, all while maintaining a stellar +20 plus-minus in just 22 minutes. This game exemplified his versatility and his capacity to influence the game beyond scoring, showcasing his commitment to team success.
His advanced efficiency metrics further solidify his impressive rookie campaign. Mitchell boasted a 106 FG+, 101 2P+, 106 3P+, 103 eFG+, 106 FT+, and 102 TS+, all indicating that his shooting performance was consistently above the league average across all recognized efficiency categories, a rare feat for an NBA rookie.
Looking ahead, the Thunder recently opted to decline Mitchell’s 2025-26 team option, instead signing him to a new contract that includes another team option for the 2027-28 season. He is slated to compete for backup rotation minutes with established players like Joe and fellow rookie Nikola Topic, vying for a significant role behind mainstays Cason Wallace and Alex Caruso as the Oklahoma City Thunder continue to build a formidable roster.
