Ajay Mitchell has recently navigated the rare challenge of balancing the joy from winning an NBA championship with focusing on his development ahead of the upcoming season. After spending several days celebrating the Oklahoma City Thunder’s historic first NBA title, Mitchell shifted his attention to Summer League play and preparing for an expanded role in his sophomore NBA season. Mitchell, who signed a contract extension during this period, expressed enthusiasm about the team‘s future and his personal growth.
Progress and Ambitions in Summer League Competition
During the Summer League, Mitchell has focused on gaining valuable playing time to refine his overall game. He emphasized the importance of becoming effective on both ends of the court while improving in specific areas such as shooting, defense, and playmaking.
“It’s been great. I think it was really important for me to get reps and to get into playing. I’m really excited to be out here and compete,”
Mitchell shared. He added,
“I think a little bit of everything: being a great player on both ends of the floor, being a great player for my teammates and being able to make plays for myself and be aggressive on both ends. It’s a little bit of everything with being a better overall player on both ends of the floor. Then I’m just working on every part of my game – shooting, defending, playmaking. It’s everything. Everything that I can work on this summer is what I’m going to do.”
Building Chemistry with Teammates, Especially Nikola Topić
Mitchell has enjoyed learning and developing synergy with Nikola Topić, praising the guard’s high basketball IQ and versatility. He described their growing connection on the court as a mix of understanding each other’s tendencies both when handling the ball and moving off it.
“I really enjoy playing with him. He’s a great guard and a high-IQ guard. He’s a really good point guard. I’m excited to play with him. We’re understanding how we can play with each other. We’re understanding how I can be off the ball and how he can be on the ball as well as how I can be on the ball and how he can be off the ball. We’re being able to have that connection on that court,”
Mitchell explained.
Reflections on Rookie Season Amid Injury and Learning Experiences
Mitchell’s rookie season was marked by significant challenges, including missing 46 games due to a toe injury. Despite this setback, he views his first year as an invaluable period of growth. The injury taught him about patience and persistence, while his time off the court allowed him to study film and absorb knowledge from coaches and teammates. Reflecting on that period, he said,
“I think it was a great learning experience for me. It was my first major injury. So going through that and learning how to manage that and learning how to play in the NBA was a great first year for me. I learned a lot. I’m really excited for the future. I was patient with myself and never getting too low about it. And then I think just staying the course and staying engaged in everything that we do as a team. I think that really helped me come back and be ready to go.”
Mitchell credited watching film and being involved with the team during his recovery as critical to his readiness when returning.
“I think it was really important to me as a first-year player to be able to have that experience with playing in the first games, and then be able to come back and already know what I was waiting for. Obviously when I was out for that long, I was able to watch film with coaches and being around my teammates and learning from them. I think it really helped me to come back even stronger,”
he noted.
Valuable Playoff Experiences in First NBA Season
Despite limited minutes, Mitchell gained meaningful experience competing in the postseason, which left a lasting impression on him regarding the level of intensity and commitment needed to win a championship. He described the playoffs as an eye-opening and motivating experience.
“My first year being able to compete in the playoffs and learn what the playoffs really is was awesome for me. It was fun. I think for me as a first-year player, I learned really what the playoffs are all about and then understood what it takes to win a championship. That really meant a lot. That will really help me in the future. It’ll help me become a better player and help me know where I can impact a game. Defensively, I can be really aggressive and pick up full court. Offensively, I can make simple plays and make the right play,”
he said.
Thunder’s Development Approach Supports Mitchell’s Growth
Mitchell praised the Oklahoma City Thunder’s organization for having a clear development plan and providing the necessary support to help him improve. He recognized how the team’s structure allowed him to concentrate on his work while receiving guidance and training from coaches.
“It’s awesome. They had a plan from the beginning. They really helped me. All I had to do was put the work in. Everything else, they took care of it. It was really easy. They do a little bit of everything. Schedule-wise, they make sure we got everything set up for me. I just have to show up and do my work. Working with different coaches and just learning the game, I think that has really helped me,”
Mitchell explained.
Impact of College Experience on Mitchell’s Game
Mitchell reflected on how his college basketball career at UC Santa Barbara shaped his understanding and skills in the game. The years spent there helped him mature as a player and prepare for the professional level, a journey that began when he moved from Belgium to pursue his dream.
“I think it really helped me. College basketball was always a dream of mine coming from Belgium. Having the experience of playing multiple years really helped me get better as a player. It helped me understand the game a little bit more,”
he remarked.
Experiencing the Championship Celebration and Its Emotional Impact
After winning the NBA title, Mitchell described the celebrations as intense and memorable, particularly appreciating the chance to share the moment with family, teammates, and fans at the championship parade. Despite the excitement, he admitted he is still processing what the win means personally and for his career.
“It’s been crazy. Right after winning, there were three long days of just enjoying it. Looking back at it, I don’t think I’ve realized it yet because we’ve been going for so long. But it’s crazy that we’re champions. I haven’t really processed it yet. Obviously, I’m really excited. Winning an NBA championship was always a dream of mine. You win your first year, and now you want to win every year. You just want to get back to work and get ready for next season,”
he shared.
In recounting the parade experience, Mitchell said,
“I enjoyed it a lot. I loved it. I had my family. I was able to be with my teammates. The best part was the parade and being able to see the fans and see what it really meant to them. We were walking almost the whole parade. We weren’t really on the bus. But we were with the fans. I think that’s the biggest highlight. We really shared that moment with them.”
Leadership Lessons from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
One of the most influential figures in Mitchell’s development has been Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, whose leadership style extends beyond words to actions and habits on and off the court. Mitchell emphasized how observing Shai’s consistency, dedication to conditioning, and everyday work ethic serves as an important lesson for younger players like himself.
“I think the way he leads by the way he acts. Seeing him in the gym after practice and before practice, and the way he takes care of his body. It’s just the way he’s consistent throughout everything. For young players like us, it’s really important to have leaders like that and see how they go about the game. It really helped me just learn from him, not only just asking questions. But looking at what he does and looking at the way he acts really helps,”
Mitchell explained.
Defensive Techniques and Insights Gained from Veteran Teammates
The Thunder boast a strong defensive backcourt, including players like Jalen Williams, Alex Caruso, Lu Dort, and Cason Wallace. Mitchell noted how watching their film sessions and understanding their approach to defense has been a critical learning experience. These veterans emphasize intelligence, anticipation, and making defensive plays beyond mere guarding responsibilities, qualities Mitchell aspires to incorporate into his game.
“They’re great defenders. They’re the best defenders in the league. Seeing how they go about the game, for me it was the way they watched film. I think it was kind of different than in college. There, we just watch film. But they were really pointing on the guys they were going to guard. It’s the way the game is so slow for them on defense, the way they can make reads and be playmakers on defense, I think that’s a big part of it. It’s not just about guarding your guys, but being able to make defensive plays. They can read players and get steals. The way they go about defense is amazing. There is a lot to learn from,”
Mitchell stated.
When discussing what defensive veterans share during film sessions, Mitchell highlighted the generosity in their teaching methods.
“They try to share everything to us. Obviously when we guard guys, we’re not going to say what we are doing on them. But the way they teach us helps. Caruso was a big part of teaching me how to guard with the way you guard on the ball and off the ball. It’s really just about learning from them. Obviously when I was hurt, I saw how they guarded the ball. That’s when I realized this is what it takes to be a defensive player. It takes a lot,”
he added.
Looking Ahead: Building on Early Success and Growth
Ajay Mitchell’s journey from a rookie managing injury setbacks to a confident contributor entering his second NBA season is marked by continual learning and leadership influences, especially from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and veteran defenders. His experience winning an NBA championship so early in his career sets a strong foundation and high expectations for future seasons. The blend of off-court preparation, on-court development, and mentorship positions Mitchell as a promising talent to watch as the Oklahoma City Thunder aim to build on their recent success.