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The 2024 NBA draft is roughly two weeks away and here at College Sports Wire we are evaluating the college basketball stars who are hoping to hear their name called in late June.
Among the less heralded names is Ajay Mitchell, a Belgian guard who spent the past three seasons in the Big West playing for the Gauchos of Santa Barbara. As a junior last season, the 6’3 guard averaged exactly 20 points per game, along with four rebounds, four assists, and 1.2 steals.
Mitchell proved not only that he is capable of putting up a lot of points, but he can do it efficiently as well: shooting 53.5% on two point attempts, 39.3% from deep, and 85.8% from the free throw line.
He tested well at the NBA draft combine and has kept his name in the conversation as a mid to late second round pick, and if he can prove the outside shooting last year wasn’t a fluke (he was under 33% each of his first two collegiate seasons) he could be a quality off the bench scorer in the NBA for many years.
Below is a look at Mitchell’s draft profile, including his measurements at the combine, strengths and weaknesses as a player, and current projected draft range and team fits in the NBA:
Michael Ciaglo-USA TODAY Sports
From: Ans, Belgium
Played: Santa Barbara (2021-2024)
2023-24 Stats: 20 points, 4.0 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 1.2 steals, 39.3% from three, 85.8% FT line
Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Height: 6’3.25
Weight: 197 pounds
Wingspan: 6’6.25
Standing Reach: 8’5
Max Vertical Leap: 33.5 inches
Michael Ciaglo-USA TODAY Sports
- Excellent size for a combo guard at 6’3 and with a 6’6 wingspan
- Elite at driving downhill, finishing around the rim, and using his body to draw contact and get to the free throw line, where he is a well above average shooter
- Also possesses a solid mid-range shot, pull up game, and a developing floater which gives him multiple ways to score on a drive
- Significantly improved three point shot last year has him looking like a capable three-level scorer at the next level
- Can play on the ball as a drive-and-dish guard and off the ball thanks to his cutting abilities, catch-and-shoot growth, and high basketball IQ
- Good defender, particularly away from the ball as a chase defender and screen navigator. Uses long arms to poke the ball away and get help side blocks
(Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
- A good but not great passer, he looks more like a two-guard than a point guard at this point. Can play PG in a pinch, but needs to develop facilitation skills to be true combo guard
- Three point shot is still a work in progress, will need to improve in that area to be playable for longer stretches
- Not a great rebounder, especially considering his wingspan and athletic abilities
- Streaky scorer, labels like a microwave scorer off the bench rather than a complete player
Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Draft Range: 40-undrafted
CSW Mock: No. 48 to San Antonio Spurs
Team Fits: A team willing to be patient or with two way spots available where he can develop and eventually get rotation time. San Antonio, New Orleans, Portland, Golden State, Sacramento, Toronto all make sense.
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Courtesy : https://collegesportswire.usatoday.com/lists/nba-draft-profile-santa-barbara-ajay-mitchell/