Thunder coach Mark Daigneault showed his trust in Ajay Mitchell by giving the Belgian-raised rookie first-half minutes in Game 1 of the NBA Finals.
Editor’s note: As an annual end-of-season exercise, The Oklahoman publishes a series of report cards on each of the Thunder’s main roster players. Grades will be curved relative to role and expectations. Next up: Ajay Mitchell.
Ajay Mitchell looked destined for an All-Rookie team before a toe injury sidelined him for three months. Mitchell underwent surgery in early January and didn’t return until mid-April, appearing in the Thunder’s final two regular-season games before the playoffs began.
Before his injury, the second-round pick (38th overall) out of UC Santa Barbara was a rotational player on the best team in the NBA. He averaged 16.6 minutes per game, just behind Jaylin Williams (16.7) and just ahead of Kenrich Williams (16.4).
In 36 games (one start), Mitchell averaged 6.5 points, 1.9 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game. His shooting splits were eye-opening: 50% FG, 38% 3FG, 83% FT.
Like he did with J-Will and Aaron Wiggins, it sure looks like Sam Presti found another second-round gem in Mitchell — a 6-foot-5 lefty guard who showed promise as an efficient shooter, steady ball handler and crafty creator.
Thunder coach Mark Daigneault showed his trust in Mitchell by giving the Belgian-raised rookie first-half minutes in Game 1 of the NBA Finals.
“It’s been a long year, but it’s an amazing experience for me,” Mitchell said at the time. “It’s all I’ve wanted since I was a little kid. When I look back at where I was even five years ago, being back home in Belgium, and where I am now, I’m beyond grateful.”
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Ajay Mitchell by the numbers
49.5%: Mitchell’s field-goal percentage was the highest of any rookie guard. He shot 54.8% from inside the arc and 38.3% from 3-point range.
17: Mitchell scored a career-high 17 points in a December win against the Grizzlies. He shot 6-of-11 from the floor and had three assists to zero turnovers.
12: Mitchell appeared in 12 playoff games, mostly in mop-up minutes. He scored a playoff-high 14 points in the Thunder’s Game 3 blowout loss at the Timberwolves. Mitchell shot 46% from the field, including 39% from 3-point range, in the playoffs.
Ajay Mitchell offseason homework
Mitchell’s offseason is already off to a strong start. He averaged 18.4 points, 5.6 assists, 4.4 rebounds and 1.4 steals in his first five summer league games. Second-year players should shine in summer league, and Mitchell has done just that.
Mitchell is pretty polished as a 23-year-old who played three years of college ball, particularly on the offensive end. His value to the Thunder is as an offensive initiator off the bench. Working on his ball handling and general floor game — how to read defenses and when to attack/set up teammates — will serve him well.
And there’s certainly room for improvement on the defensive end. Mitchell has good instincts and a strong frame, but he’s not a top-end athlete. Mitchell might never be a plus defender, but that doesn’t mean he has to be a minus one, either.
Ajay Mitchell grade: A
Mitchell far exceeded expectations. Think about it this way: As a rookie second-rounder, Mitchell averaged the 11th most minutes on a 68-win team.
Rather than sending him to the G League Oklahoma City Blue — which would’ve been understandable given where he was picked — Daigneault found minutes for Mitchell on the big-league squad.
The sample was small, but we’re not going to hold the injury against him.
Thunder report card schedule
In his championship parade address, Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt announced that Thunder chairman Clay Bennett, general manager Sam Presti, coach Mark Daigneault and every Thunder player would be honored with their own official day in Oklahoma City. We’re following Holt’s schedule, publishing each player’s report card on their respective day.
- July 11: Ousmane Dieng
- July 15: Ajay Mitchell
- July 16: Jaylin Williams
- July 17: Kenrich Williams
- July 18: Isaiah Joe
- July 21: Aaron Wiggins
- July 22: Cason Wallace
- July 23: Isaiah Hartenstein
- July 24: Alex Caruso
- July 25: Lu Dort
- July 28: Chet Holmgren
- July 29: Jalen Williams
- July 30: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Joe Mussatto is a sports columnist for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Joe? Email him at [email protected]. Support Joe's work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Ajay Mitchell report card: High marks for second-round Thunder rookie
Category: Basketball
