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Ajay Mitchell · Hearing, perhaps, his head coach’s pregame statement regarding how difficult it is for talented-yet-unproven players to crack the Oklahoma City Thunder’s title-focused rotation, Ajay Mitchell crafted his on-court case for more opportunities in the best way one could. Staying within the healthy confines of the Oklahoma City Thunder’s established offense, 2024’s No. 38 pick calmly maintains a live dribble after the Denver Nuggets’ defense sends a hard baseline pick-and-roll hedge his way. Diagnosing it quickly, Mitchell delivers an underhand pass to a star frontcourt teammate, collecting assist No. 1 of his NBA career. The second quarter sequence allowed the first-year Belgian to demonstrate his on-court IQ, all the while affording the Thunder a 10-point lead, momentum later used to secure a season-opening victory. Although Mitchell’s catch-and-shoot accuracy would arrive on a later date, positive impact arrived with express delivery, literally, as he offered a one-assist, one-rebound box score tally on October 24, 2024. · State of Mint