Backed by the endorsements of both teammates and coaches, Ajay Mitchell required only the 2024-25 season’s first week to craft his considerable case for a spot within the Oklahoma City Thunder’s rotation. Given the low post spin cycle that he introduced Stephon Castle to on October 30, 2024, it certainly wouldn’t go down as the only type of rotation the No. 38 pick would become associated with. Able to perhaps smell blood in the water with Oklahoma City ahead by a dozen in the game’s final seven minutes, Mitchell enters attack mode, collecting an ambitious skip pass before quickly shifting his focus to a post-up. Comparative in size to his fellow 2024 NBA Draft classmate from the San Antonio Spurs, Mitchell offsets any potential standstill by smoothly pivoting into a nifty spin, allowing him to bank in a powerful paint bucket. Generating buckets in an assortment of ways, Mitchell helped guide the Thunder’s 4-0 start, recording 12 points (on five-of-six shooting), alongside four rebounds, two steals, and one 3-pointer. · Oct 31, 2024