13 - Ajay Mitchell

NBA Comparison: Lester Quinones
Strengths: Lefty lead guard plays with some flair, and is a fun watch … Uses constant motion to his advantage, he never stops moving and often finds opportunities as a result … Seeks out contact on the drive. Doesn’t have top tier quickness but with a little bit of deception and constant motion can often get a foot in the paint on offense … Smooth in the open floor, can get downhill and maintain control to go into a spin move and finish on the break … Stays in control on the drive both in the half court and open floor … Strong free throw shooter at better than 80%, and he gets to the line often (6+ FT attempts per game)… Good distributor and is careful with the ball (has roughly a 2:1 assist to turnover ratio) … Willing and capable passer with good vision … Active hands defensively and takes pride on that side of the ball… Lacks defensive accolades but does show interest there.
Weaknesses: In his collegiate career, Mitchell’s three point shooting success has been all over the map. He shot just 27% from deep last year. So far in 2023–24, though, the outside shot has been a major strength. He’s converting on a very good 47% this season on about two attempts per game. Can he sustain his newfound shooting prowess and bump his range out to the NBA three-point line?… Mitchell is the best player on a very successful UCSB team that wins the vast majority of its games. But UCSB has faced only one ranked team in in the past three years. It was in a blowout loss in 2023 to Baylor in the first round of the NCAA tournament. Mitchell played nearly the whole game and did ok individually, but did not stand out… Mitchell has good height, but does he have the strength and control to create separation at the next level?… Has decent length, but does he have the motor and focus to become a plus defender?… Has had the ball in his hands quite a bit in college. Can he be effective off ball as well?
Outlook: This lefty lead guard with international and professional experience has a smooth and smart all-around game. While he’s always been effective overall, he struggled early in his collegiate career with his outside shot. During his junior season, he flipped the story and became a plus-three point shooter. … Will be 22 years old at the 2024 NBA Draft and currently projects as a second round pick with upside as a big lead guard with some pizzazz on the offensive end … Questions scouts have are related to his ability to create separation on the offensive end at the next level, whether he can sustain his outside shooting prowess and bump his range back beyond NBA three point range, and defensive intensity and focus …
Notes: Measured 6′ 3.25” barefoot, 8′ 5.00” standing reach, 197 lbs, 6′ 6.25” wingspan, 28 standing vert, 33.5 max vert at the 2024 NBA Draft Combine …Was a Lou Henson All-American, Big West Player of the Year, and Big West Championship MVP in in 2022–23… Previously played professional basketball for Limburg of the Belgium BLB League… Played for Belgium at 2021 FIBA U20 Euro Championship and 2019 FIBA U18 Euro Championship… Was ranked a three-star recruit and №23 point guard by 247Sports…
Drew Wolin 6/2/24
Social
Tweets by nbadraftnet